A LIFE-SAVING piece of hospital equipment has been installed in Darlington Memorial Hospital after fundraisers collected thousands of pounds.

The £60,000 digital retinal camera was bought for the hospital as part of the Save Our Sight appeal which was launched just 18 months ago.

The appeal was set up to encourage people to donate money to the hospital to buy the equipment which will revoluntionise the treatment and detection of eye problems.

The portable camera will help with the early detection of eye problems that are common among diabetics.

Many of the problems can lead to blindness if they are not treated but the symptoms are not always easy to detect.

The camera takes an image that can be downloaded on to a computer and compared to previous images to see if any changes have occurred in a patient's eye.

It is hoped the new camera will lead to shorter waiting times for laser therapy for diabetic patients.

Hundreds of groups and individuals joined the campaign to raise the money needed to buy the camera.

Monica Giggins of the fundraising committee said: "So many people have helped raise money and we are very grateful to them all.

"We want to thank everyone who has held fund-raising events."

Among the groups who helped to raise money were The Friends of Darlington Memorial Hospital, The British Diabetics Association and Help the Aged.

Donations were also received from the WRVS, rotary clubs, Masonic lodges, churches and other groups.

Despite raising the money for the camera the Save Our Sight appeal is continuing to raise money for more medical software.

Ms Giggins said: "Money is still coming in and although the main fundraising is over there is still some money needed."

A similar campaign for the Bishop Auckland General Hospital has also reached its target and the camera was installed earlier this month.