SCARECROWS have been shown to have a heart - in one North Yorkshire village at least.

More than £1,000 was raised by the annual scarecrow trail in the village of Well, near Bedale last summer.

And now the proceeds have been used to buy new equipment for the cardiac rehabilitation unit at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton.

It now has two new pulse oximeters - a device that measures both the heart rate and the level of oxygen in the blood - thanks to the village's efforts.

The department offers support to patients from the Hambleton and Richmondshire area in the early stages after a heart attack, or heart surgery.

Patients attend regular sessions which include exercise, relaxation and health education topics.

Cardiac rehabilitation sister Cathy Trodden said: "We are very grateful to the Well Village Association and would like to thank everyone involved for their help and for supporting our work.

"The pulse oximeters are useful for cardiac rehabilitation patients, as they provide staff with a fast and efficient way of monitoring the patient during and after exercise and they will help us to continue to provide a high quality service for our patients."

Part of the money raised by the scarecrow trail also went to ChildLine and towards the upkeep of the village hall.

* Carol singing at Christmas time around Well, also provided a welcome donation for the special care baby unit at the Friarage. It received £155. which will go towards providing extra comforts for mothers and babies.