A 12-BED cottage hospital in Easingwold is in line for a £120,000 revamp thanks to the support of a friends organisation founded to help improve facilities.

The Selby and York Primary Care Trust and the Friends of St Monica's Hospital have joined forces on a development project which should see new en-suite facilities installed for elderly patients.

The upgrade will also mean an extension to the Victorian building, which has already been given planning permission.

Work is expected to start within the next few weeks.

"This is an exciting project for the hospital, which provides an important service to people living in Easingwold and the surrounding villages," said trust chairwoman Wendy Bundy.

"The en-suite facilities will enable patients to be treated in comfort and in private.

"I would like to thank both the Friends group and hospital staff for their hard work in raising the money. Everyone deserves an enormous amount of praise."