PATIENTS in East Lancashire waiting for diagnoses on potentially cancerous skin lesions will soon benefit from a revolutionary plastic surgery scheme.

At present, patients are referred to Royal Preston Hospital and have photographs taken of the affected area.

A new method of examining patients, using high-tech digital photographic equipment is being used in a £100,000 pilot scheme.

It will come to other hospitals, including Burnley General and Queen's Park, Blackburn, over the next few months.

Health chiefs say the new system will lead to shorter waiting times and speed diagnosis. Photographs will be taken at hospitals across Lancashire, and eventually in some GP surgeries.

They will then be reviewed by one of five consultants within Lancashire Teaching Hospital.

The consultants will decide if a patient requires treatment, such as plastic surgery.

Leading the project is consultant Robert Jones. He said: "This ground-breaking project will ensure that we cut patient waiting times.

"We will see more people and it will free time for consultants to spend longer with patients with more complex needs.

"Importantly, it will create a quick route of referral into the hospital for patients with suspected cancer."

Around three out of five patients with suspected cancer who are referred to a plastic surgeon will benefit from the new procedure.

The scheme will also aim to develop the roles of nurses and GPs to carry out minor operations.