A DONATION of £68,000 has ensured a key diagnostic service will continue to operate from Sevenoaks Hospital.

There had been fears patients would be forced to travel to Kent and Sussex Hospital in Tunbridge Wells unless a new ultrasound scanner was provided.

But a fundraising effort by charity the League of Friends of Sevenoaks Hospital means the service has been saved for the next five years.

League of Friends chairman Roger Hope said: "I am delighted that we have been able to provide the replacement ultrasound scanner in Sevenoaks, which enables patients to be dealt with locally."

Ultrasound equipment is commonly used to check on the progress of unborn babies and can determine their sex.

But it has a wide variety of other uses too and can check for the presence of gallstones and hernias, can study neck artery and deep vein thrombosis and can also be used to study ovarian cysts, tumours and fibroids.

Developments in technology means that images taken at Sevenoaks Hospital can now be analysed from other locations.

Sonographer Joan Wilson explained how the equipment worked.

She said: "It's like an X-ray, but uses sound waves to assess the body. It can be life changing if you pick up a major abnormality."

This is the third time the League of Friends has provided Sevenoaks Hosptial with ultrasound equipment.

Mr Hope said over the years the charity had played a vital role in raising funds for the hospital, which have been used to provide the best facilities possible for staff and patients.

He said the search is now on to find a replacement secretary for Tessa Murray, who steps down later in the year after 25-years' service.

Mr Hope asked anyone who may be interested in filling the role to call him on 01732 810197.