A fundraising drive to provide a new hospital ward with vital equipment is being held this summer.

The Friends of Malton Hospital are organising a raffle with a top prize of £1,000, and runners-up prizes of £500 and £250. The money raised will go towards providing more equipment for the hospital's new Fitzwilliam Ward.

Tickets costing 50p will be sold at agricultural shows and fairs across Ryedale this summer, and are also available from the Malton Hospital charity shop on Newbiggin, Malton.

Sue Appleyard, a member of the Friends, said: "On top of the money from the Government, we need lots of extra things like food trolleys and curtains, as well as medical equipment. We want to make sure everything is really spot-on for the opening.

"A lot of people from all over Ryedale use Malton Hospital, it is their hospital too, and local support has always been so fantastic, we're hoping we can really do great things with this project."

Anyone who can help to sell tickets can leave a message at the shop on (01653) 698183.