GETTING lost in a large hospital could become a thing of the past after what is believed to be the first virtual reality "wayfinder" of its kind was unveiled in the region.

Visitors arriving at the 1,000- bed James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, can now key in the name of the department or ward they want to visit and be guided to their destination on screen.

The 3D computerised graphics are uncannily realistic, taking visitors along corridors, through doors, past fire extinguishers and on to their destination.

Even the hospital's extensive art collection is reproduced during the virtual-reality trip.

The project is the work of Amazing Interactives, a Middlesbrough firm that has its origins in Teesside University.

Creative director at Amazing Interactives, Tim Dear, said: "The system uses extremely clever software which was specially created for the hospital. It actually thinks about several thousand possible routes before instantly displaying the best one as a video-quality computer walkthrough."

The company is already in discussion with health bosses in Newcastle to see if a similar wayfinder system can be developed for the Royal Victoria Infirmary and the Freeman heart hospital.

The possibilities are endless and Amazing Interactives are considering wider applications for places such as airports and city centres.

Caroline Swinhoe, a senior nurse in planning at the South Tees trust, said: "This is a vast and extremely busy hospital. More than half a million patients pass through our doors every year and, inevitably, people can become disorientated."

Ms Swinhoe said she hoped that patients and visitors would use the wayfarer system to complement the extensive system of colour-coded signs guiding people through the hospital.

Chief executive Simon Pleydell said: "Big hospitals are very intimidating places to come to. Anything we can do to help people find their way and not be worried or stressed is really, really important."

The £60,000 cost of the wayfinder system was provided through the South Tees trust's capital programme from funding designed to be used to improve public access to the hospital.