SURGEONS will be carrying out an extra 150 heart operations this year thanks to a new hospital unit in Blackpool.

Blackpool Victoria Hospital's new cardiac surgery unit aims to cut waiting times for patients across Lancashire and Cumbria with the increased number of open heart procedures.

As many as 300 extra operations per year could be carried out in future bosses say, ahead of the opening of the £45 million cardiac centre at the hospital in 2006.

The Vic's temporary unit houses nine new cardiac critical care beds, alongside the hospital's existing six beds. Extra nurses, theatre staff and an additional cardiac consultant have also been appointed.

And the working day of the cardiac theatres has been extended until 10pm Monday to Friday, and 8am-6pm at the weekends. Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals NHS Trust bosses say the move will help them meet the government's waiting time target, that by March 2005 no-one should wait longer than three months for heart surgery.

One of the first patients to be treated on the new unit, 68-year-old St Annes man Francis Monaghan, said he was 'surprised by how the area looks'.

The triple heart bypass patient added: "It is beautiful - light, airy and very clean with very friendly staff. The food is also very good."

Ben Sharples, directorate manager for cardiac services, said: "This is a fantastic new facility. It is bright and welcoming and most importantly will help us to treat patients much sooner.

"This is one of a number of temporary measures that we are taking to expand our existing cardiac facilities while the new cardiac centre is being built to ensure waiting list targets are met."