Wirral Hospital has received an early Christmas gift in the form of a new state-of-the-art breast ultrasound scanner.

The generous £50,000 donation by Clatterbridge Hospital’s League of Friends will mean quicker screening and diagnosis for patients.

Birkenhead actress and comedienne Pauline Daniels was invited to accept the donation on behalf of the trust.

The 58-year-old knows only too well the important role the Breast Centre plays as Pauline herself is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

She said: “This £50,000 donation has already played a part in my personal breast cancer journey.

“A couple of weeks ago, I was sat in this ultrasound room as a patient myself.

“This is such an important piece of equipment for the Wirral Breast Centre.

“The better the equipment, the quicker women can be seen, diagnosed and treated.

“I would like to thank Clatterbridge Hospitals League of Friends personally.

“This donation will really make a difference to the many patients using this amazing service here at the Wirral Breast Centre.”

Ken Arnold, League of Friends chairman, said: “Knowing our fundraising has played a part in Pauline’s diagnosis makes you realise the importance of this donation.

“We cannot thank Pauline enough for showing her support to us while undergoing treatment and we wish her a speedy recovery.”

Joyce Magennis, the trust’s lead for breast services, said: “Our thanks go out to the Clatterbridge Hospitals League of Friends.

“Screening and diagnosis of breast cancer can often be a traumatic journey for a patient, but this state of the art breast ultrasound scanner will make a huge difference in speeding up any required treatment.”

The Wirral Breast Centre, based at Clatterbridge Hospital, is the second largest breast unit in the North West.

It screens around 13,000 women per year and sees approximately 3,000 new symptomatic patient referrals per year.

Out of this number, about 400 patients will be diagnosed with breast cancer.