JUBILANT Magic Eye Appeal organisers today issued a final last thank you to generous East Lancashire folk as they begin to wind-up the fundraising for the scanner appeal.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph is proud to announce that a final total of £330,000 has been reached.

The fund has bought three endoscopic ultrasound scanners and two state-of-the-art image processors.

There is also ample money in the coffers to cover the running costs of the machinery, to be used by medical staff at Blackburn Royal Infirmary, for two years.

And although the appeal is no longer active, donations that have already been pledged will still be processed through the Queen's Park Hospital appeals office.

Any extra funding will go towards the upkeep and maintenance of the life-saving machinery.

Sheila Shaw, appeal co-ordinator, said: "It was beyond our wildest expectations to receive this final sum of money and we are, of course, delighted.

"Money that has been promised to the appeal will still be processed, but we do however have to draw the appeal to a close.

"The generosity of people has made the appeal what it is and it is a credit to everyone who has helped that we can now boast some of the best technology in the area."

The equipment puts East Lancashire as a leading centre for cancer treatment in the North West.

More than 600 oesophagus and stomach cancer sufferers will benefit each year from the technology.

The scanner can also be developed to help with quicker diagnosis of lung cancer.

Appeal organisers are now keen to receive any collecting boxes that have been borrowed for events. They can be returned to Sheila Shaw by calling 01254 293272.