A hospital has entered the new year celebrating a greater degree of independence.

Harrogate District Hospital has finally gained foundation status as part of the third wave of such trusts to be created. It means the hospital will be able to borrow and spend money as it wishes to be more responsive to local needs.

The announcement from the independent regulator for NHS Foundation Trusts, Monitor, was greeted with delight by local health officials.

Trust chairman Dr Albert Day, said: "This is wonderful news and is a positive step forward in our future development.

"As a foundation trust, we will be much more accountable to the community we serve and can enhance or tailor services to meet the needs of our patients for the future, which is a very exciting prospect."

The trust originally hoped to gain foundation status last November, but the announcement was delayed while some changes were made to the funding arrangement.

The application was endorsed by more than 10,000 people who have signed up to become members.

Despite the delay, the trust continued with an election process to create a board of governors which is now in place and ready to begin work this month.

Dr Day said: "Now our future as the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust is confirmed, I should like to encourage everyone across the district to sign up and become a member of the new organisation, if they have not done so already.

"It's the views of local people that will help develop hospital services for the future, so we want to ensure that we listen to as many people as possible."