BURNLEY health bosses say they are carrying out more breast cancer and gynaecology operations than ever before.

Figures for the town’s General Hospital for the last quarter show 20per cent more activity in day case surgery, and 300 orthopaedic operations took place in July alone.

Changes last year, which saw A&E services taken away from the hospital, also resulted in planned procedures, elective surgery and advanced care for women, and newborns being switched to the site.

Marie Burnham, chief executive of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said: “I hope this reinforces to the local community the fact that Burnley General remains a key asset of the trust.”