YOUNG patients can breathe easy after fundraising by insurance brokers BiB paid for specialist equipment.

Babies and children suffering from pneumonia, bronch-ialitis and other conditions affecting breathing can be monitored more closely at Darlington Memorial Hospital, thanks to the £1,500 pulse oxymeter.

A probe fitted to a youngster's toe or finger relays information to a digital display showing oxygen levels and heart rate.

The money for the machine was raised at an auction organised by BiB's charity team.

Consultant paediatrician Dr John Furness said the advanced pulse oxymeter was important as it gave medical staff a "real-time print-out" of the child's condition.

He said: "With more traditional machines, an alarm goes off when oxygen levels decrease. This wakes up the child, they breathe and are back to normal before they can be tested.

"Without the sort of tests this machine can do being available at Darlington, patients would have to go to Newcastle. Colleagues at Bishop Auckland have one, too, which means we can share if one breaks down."

Helen Snowdon, of BiB's charity team, said: "We've always tried to support local causes and decided this year to have a more co-ordinated approach to raise large amounts.

"We were delighted to raise £1,800, which has not only paid for this vital equipment for the children's ward, but the extra amount will also get this year's fundraising off to a great start."