HEART patient Walter Rand wanted to show his gratitude to the hospital that helped save his life.

So he and his wife Mildred donated £5,000 to the cardiology department of the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.

The Bedale couple, who recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary, wanted to say thank you to consultant cardiologist Dr Upendra Somasundram and the department staff and provide something to benefit future patients at the hospital.

Dr Somasundram said: "We have put this very generous donation to good use and bought a new ambulatory blood pressure monitor, which records regular blood pressure during normal activities and will help heart patients who are treated at the unit in the future."