SCARBOROUGH Hospital will become one of the country's leading district general hospitals and expects to achieve the Government's Foundation status within the next two years, according to the NHS trust that runs it.

In plans outlining the future of the hospital and those at Malton, Whitby and Brid-lington, Alison Guy, the trust's chief executive, said: "The strategic direction is intended to be both ambitious and sustainable."

In a report to North Yorkshire County Council, she said the trust's objectives between now and 2009 include developing a 24-hour medical and surgical assessment unit, developing services for older people, creating an emergency care unit, wider care for stroke patients and developing a teaching centre for staff.

Other priorities are to increase the physical activity of members of the public, improving eating habits, reducing obesity and urging people to quit smoking.

Mrs Guy said the area's primary care trust will develop hospitals at Malton and Whitby, which will ensure the future of the hospitals, which staff and residents in the towns feared could close.

She also said a community hospital resource will be provided at Scarborough, and there will be better support for patients with long-term conditions.

She said: "The key principle underpinning the strategy is that patients should receive the best treatments, service or support, at the right time, in the most suitable location."