AN appeal to raise £150,000 for life-saving equipment has received a boost.

Members of Northallerton's Probus club have been paying extra for coffee at their weekly meetings.

This has raised £305 towards equipment for an endoscopy unit at the town's Friarage Hospital.

The appeal, led by the Friends of the Friarage, will buy equipment vital for the unit, which is planned as part of the hospital's redevelopment.

The unit will benefit patients by providing improved access to diagnostic facilities, allowing the hospital to diagnose and treat patients at an earlier stage of their illness.

Probus club president Fred Ayrton handed over the proceeds of the fundraising effort to Arthur Craigan at a presentation at Northallerton's Methodist hall.

Mr Craigan said: "We are grateful to the Probus Club for their support and thank them for this generous contribution which will help our new venture to flourish.

"We are wholeheartedly committed to achieving our goal and raising the £150,000 and are keeping up the momentum with our fundraising campaign, which thanks to the support of local people is on target."

Anyone who would like to help the appeal in any way should contact Denise Passman on (01609) 779911 extension 2013 on Tuesdays or Thursdays.