SIMON Cowell’s mother gave the X-Factor to an event marking the opening of a breast cancer charity’s new headquarters.

Julie Cowell, Honorary President of Against Breast Cancer, opened the building at Abingdon Science Park to help the charity raise money to find a vaccine against the disease.

Also at the event was Dwina Murphy-Gibb, wife of Bee Gee Robin Gibb, who helped cut the ribbon and named the new building Leathem House, after the charity’s founders Dr Anthony and Patricia Leathem.

Mrs Cowell said: “The opening of Leathem House marks a new chapter in the growth and development of the charity and the building name is a fitting tribute to Dr Leathem and his wife.

“Every day the vital research they do is bringing us closer to the goal of finding a vaccine.”

Dr Leathem said “It really is a landmark moment to open our new office. We have two new research team members who will be working with us to look at new ways of testing for the early detection of cancer changes and to try and identify markers that could lead us closer to a vaccine.”

The charity is organising a study in 50 UK hospitals, working with women who have breast cancer to find ways to maximise their survival.