HEALTH Secretary Jeremy Hunt described Airedale Hospital as a national trail-blazer during a visit today.

Mr Hunt called in to the hospital in Steeton, near Keighley, while on the campaign trail ahead of polling day on Thursday.

He and Conservative candidate for Keighley Kris Hopkins were shown around the revamped maternity unit and the newly-built Accident and Emergency Department.

Afterwards, he said: "Kris Hopkins had invited me to come because he campaigned very hard for the new A&E unit in the hospital and I wanted to see it for myself - and I'm really, really impressed.

"I have been a long-time fan of the hospital because they have one of the best IT systems anywhere in the country."

Mr Hunt said this system gave hospital medics access to important information about patients such as their allergies or notes from their GPs.

He said: "That all basically leads to much safer care, which is brilliant for patients. Airedale is a hospital where they have blazed a trail."

Local Government Minister Mr Hopkins is fighting to get re-elected in Keighley - a seat being billed as one of the most important marginals in the country.

Mr Hunt gave him his backing, saying: "I know Kris as a campaigning local MP, I have been to Airedale Hospital with him, I have been to a local hospice with him and I know he is so passionate about the area.

"I have also seen him as an incredibly effective minister in Government."

Also standing in Keighley are Ros Brown (Green), Gareth Epps (Lib Dem), John Grogan (Lab) and Paul Latham (Ukip).