THE Countess of Wessex is the new royal patron of a campaign to raise £1 million for a new MRI scanner at Musgrove Park Hospital.

Love Musgrove, the Taunton hospital’s official charity, has raised over £375,000 towards the purchase of a scanner since the campaign was launched in April.

It is an essential piece of diagnostic equipment that benefits a huge number of patients who may have cancers, cardiac or joint, tendon and muscle problems.

It will help to ensure shorter waiting times for patients as well as providing the hospital with greater overall scanning capacity and allowing it to take part in ground breaking research programmes.

Brian Perowne, chairman of Love Musgrove, said: "The support of the community has been phenomenal. The charity and the hospital are hugely appreciative and are thankful to all who have supported so far.”

For information about the campaign visit www.lovemusgrove.org.uk.