A £2.4 million endoscopy unit at Airedale Hospital is opening its doors next week.

It will allow greater privacy for patients and include an extra procedure room so more people can be treated.

The unit has been rebuilt and expanded to deal with the increase in demand for the service as a result of the national bowel screening programme and other national awareness campaigns for bowel, bladder and lung cancer.

Airedale Hospital, at Steeton, near Keighley, is one of the local centres for the bowel screening programme.

People are being asked to support a fundraising appeal, launched by the unit, to fund £60,000 worth of new endoscopy equipment.

To make a donation, text ENDO60 followed by £ and the amount you want to donate to 70070 or visit justgiving.com/Airedale EndoscopyChristmasAppeal