A HOSPITAL support group has proved its worth in the most practical way - by buying some life-saving equipment.

Malton Hospital has taken delivery of a £65,000 ultrasound machine bought with cash raised over the past three years.

The Community Friends of Malton Hospital pooled income from their shop, donations, bequests and memorial collections to buy the unit. The machine means people with suspected deep vein thrombosis and other blood disorders can be seen in Malton rather than having to travel to Scarborough.

Community Friends chairman Bruce Miller said: "We give our thanks to the people in Ryedale who have supported the charity shop. Without them we would not have been able to do this."