A pioneering children's casualty, with a pirate ship theme, opened nearly every day last month after complaints it was almost always shut.

The specialist accident and emergency department for children at Bradford Royal Infirmary was built in 2000 as part of a £4 million development.

But it was criticised earlier this year when figures showed it had been open for only 48 hours during the first three months of 2003.

Health watchdog Bradford Community Health Council voiced concerns about the situation in March.

Staff shortages meant it was difficult for workers to cover both the normal A&E department and the children's facility, including its waiting room.

Members of Bradford Teaching Hospitals Trust board, which manages the hospital, heard that in June the children's waiting room was open nearly every day.

Rose Stephens, director of hospital services, said out of 30 afternoon sessions and 30 in the evening, the waiting area was open for 26 and 25 sessions respectively.

"That's a huge improvement in the opening of the children's waiting area," she added.

She said they had done a lot of work to improve the service. "We are still working with Bradford City Primary Care Trust and other trusts in opening the treatment area in the children's department more."

Board chairman John Ryan said: "It's a great improvement."

Bradford Royal Infirmary's A&E department is the third busiest in the country, treating more than 105,000 patients each year - up to 25 per cent of which are children.

The specialist unit includes a waiting area, play facilities and child friendly paediatric examination and treatment rooms.

The separate children's area has a pirate ship theme, complete with galleon with masts, sales and treasure chests. Books and toys are provided to keep youngsters amused while they wait to be treated. The waiting areas are light and treatment cubicles are state-of-the art.

The aim is to provide a calmer and more spacious area for children and their families.