HUNDREDS of curious visitors enjoyed an open day at Airedale General Hospital this afternoon when the theatres and endoscopy unit doors were thrown open for a behind the scenes look.

As well as face painting fun, children were able to dress in theatre gowns and masks and make plaster casts as well as see what it looks like in the stomach, courtesy of a resident dummy and an endoscope.

They also got the chance to see how the body works using Sidney, the skeleton, have a go at fixing broken bones, see how joint replacements are carried out and how kidney stones are removed.

There was information about how staff look after you during surgery when you’re asleep and what helps people to breathe during operations.

“It was amazing. hundreds came and found it really interesting and reassuring. Staff gave up their time to show visitors around,” said head of communications, Katie Lister.

“These visits help demystify hospital procedures and may even help to encourage people to take up medicine.”