Airedale Hospital has officially opened a cancer clinic that was made possible thanks to the incredible generosity of a Steeton woman.

Friends of Bessie Richard-son had the honour of officially opening the clinic thanks to a £300,000 donation from the benefactor.

Staff say the new Richardson Clinic provides a much more peaceful and private environment for patients awaiting consultation and treatment.

It has also provided a focal point for the treatment of different cancers and blood disorders in one area. The clinic is part of a £4 million development that includes the neighbouring Haematology and Oncology Day Unit and extension to the X-ray department.

Chairman of Airedale NHS Trust Professor Brian Jewell said: "This is a major re-development and I would hope that Mrs Richardson would have been happy with the result.

"We have now got first class facilities for patient care and I'm sure patients passing through will be very grateful for this generous bequest."

Geoff Greenwood, a friend of Mrs Richardson's and one of the signatories of the will, described her as a "strong-willed" woman.

He said: "Women's health and education were central to her core being, and hopefully staff will enjoy working here and the people who live in this area will benefit from this facility. She was an eccentric and a character, but well-loved, and anyone who crossed her path was the better for knowing her."

Cancer service manager Dawn Gulliford said: "This development means we can now provide cancer clinics from one area, so technically it should be a better service.

"The clinic also has offices and accommodation for nurse specialists from different areas, such as breast and palliative care.

"There is good access from the clinic to the mammography unit and it provides patients with a more private place to wait."

Planning manager John Sutcliffe added: "Mrs Richardson's bequest was important because it allowed us to accelerate our plans, and for that we are very grateful."

Mrs Richardson, who died just short of her 80th birthday in March 2000, left two properties to the trust to be used as housing for medical staff.

However, Mrs Richardson's executors agreed to the trust's request to sell off the properties to raise cash for the clinic.

A former teacher, Mrs Richardson lived in Steeton for around 20 years and was a hospital volunteer with the WRVS.