Surgeons at Airedale General Hospital are running trials on a new hi-tech laser technique which could provide women with an alternative to a hysterectomy.

The system called Elitt uses laser technology to cure common gynaecological problems such as heavy bleeding, which in the past could have resulted in women needing to undergo surgery.

Now thanks to the pioneering work of consultants at the hospital, near Steeton, nine patients have been treated as day cases using the new technology.

A spokesman for Airedale NHS Trust said: "As a new procedure, work is still ongoing to fully develop the service, ensuring patients do not experience any pain, can go home shortly after the procedure is completed and that long-term results are of the same standard (as other techniques).

"This work has been conducted to date within the Endoscopy unit as day cases, but it may be transferred to the outpatients department.

"Due to its trial nature it is only available, at present, to selected patients but may be expanded."

The trial builds on work carried out over the past few years by consultant gynaecologists at Airedale Hospital.

In 2001 consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology, Peter Brunskill, spearheaded the creation of a new outpatient clinic for gynaecology and persuaded the Trust to invest in modern technology to put an end to patients having to undergo surgery, under general anaesthetic and with long recovery times.

In 2001 the clinic concentrated on diagnosing conditions, but at the beginning of this year Mr Brunskill and fellow consultant John Brash began performing a new procedure called Thermachoice, which uses a hot balloon to treat heavy bleeding.

Mr Brunskill has now successfully treated a number of women with problems associated with heavy bleeding.

Peter O'Donovan, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Bradford Royal Infirmary, and president of the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy, urged women to research all the options available to them.

"For a bit of equipment to be successful it has to be subjected to a randomised controlled trial. Elitt has not yet been properly validated in this way