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 18 months ago.

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

The portable camera will particularly assist in 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 which can be downloaded on to a computer.

The image is then compared with previous images to see if any changes have occurred in the patient's eyes.

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, a fundraising committee member, said: "So many people have helped raise money and we are very grateful to them all. We want to thank everyone who has held fundraising events."

Among the groups who helped were The Friends of Darlington Memorial Hospital, The British Diabetics Association and Help the Aged. Donations also came from the Women's Royal Voluntary Services, rotary clubs, masonic lodges, churches and other groups.

As well as raising the money for the camera, the Save Our Sight appeal is continuing to raise money for software for it.

Ms Giggins said: "Although the main fundraising is over and the committee has disbanded, there is still some money needed and fundraising events are still being planned."

A Save Our Sight campaign for Bishop Auckland General Hospital has also reached its target and a retinal camera was installed there earlier this month.