A NEW scanner, bought in memory of former Newcastle United star Charlie Crowe, has been unveiled at the city's University Campus for Ageing and Vitality.

The cutting edge kit will boost research into a number of diseases, including Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cardio-vascular related diseases and boost neuroscience research.

In order to raise the £1.5m for the powerful magnetic scanner, the Charlie Crowe Scanner Appeal was launched in 2009.

Charlie was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease when the fundraising was launched - one of the diseases being researched at the Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre.

Sadly, Charlie died during the fundraising, however, his daughter Leslie and his wife Ruth continued to lend their support.

The fundraising is now complete, and with substantial additional money from the University the new scanner is ready.

The Charlie Crowe Scanner Suite was officially opened by his wife and daughter and the Hairy Bikers, Si King and Dave Myers, carried out the inaugural scan.

Diabetes expert Professor Roy Taylor, said: “This piece of equipment will allow us to power ahead with our research into all kinds of conditions and diseases, including dementia, diabetes, heart disease and liver disease.”

Hairy Biker Si King said: “What’s so exciting about this scanner is the difference it will make to the globally important work that Professor Taylor and his team do here.

"I’m enormously proud that this facility is in the North-East and that it’s been made possible by the generosity of so many people in the region.”