FOR TWELVE years following the removal of her gall bladder Barbara Dear suffered "terrific spasms of pain' and associated problems.

Although she saw several doctors and underwent various scans and procedures no one could find the cause of her suffering.

Then after the installation of the 'magic eye' equipment Barbara was referred for a scan and it was finally revealed that she had gallstones trapped in her bowel duct.

The 54-year-old of Tockholes Road, Tockholes, is now awaiting treatment in Manchester to have them removed.

She said: "I had ongoing problems over 12 years and although I had my gallbladder removed they never went away.

"I was referred to Blackburn Royal Infirmary two years ago and the doctor did lots of tests but everything came back negative or clear.

"Then he asked if I would be prepared to have one more camera used, which was the magic eye, and he said it there was anything there this would find it.

"They found then that I had stones trapped in the bowel duct and although they can't do anything at the moment they finally found the problem.

"The procedure itself was nothing to worry about and it was a relief to discover the problem.

"I always knew there was something wrong but because the bowel duct has sealed closed they had not been detected.

"It was very frustrating as I had around 40 referrals that found nothing. I can't praise Blackburn enough as I have lived all over England but they saw this through."

Barbara, who is a full time carer to her 84-year-old father Harry Crossland is now awaiting surgery to correct the problem.

Dian Felcey, 57, of Samlesbury, is another looking to benefit from the scanner.

Dian, who is married with five children and has five grandchildren, went to her GP with abdominal pains last December.

She underwent a variety of tests including MRI scans, ultra sounds and CT scans and has been told there is something on her pancreas but tests so far have not revealed what it is.

She said: "I have to have a biopsy and needle biopsy but am having to wait to go to Manchester.

"Had the equipment been operational at Blackburn now I would not be waiting.

"There are scarce resources and I have been on the waiting list for a few weeks but have not got a date yet.

"The time scale is important and although this might not be anything to worry about it could make a big difference to a number of people.

"Obviously until there is a diagnosis you are very concerned and you cannot have any necessary treatment.

"If the equipment was in use now I would have had the biopsy done and could be undergoing treatment already.

"But it is wonderful that others will benefit from this in the near future."

Anne Asher, Divisional Director of Acute Serves in Blackburn for the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, today thanked everyone who has been involved in securing the vital equipment.

She said: "The purchase of the scanner, which was the first in the North West, has meant that we are now at the leading edge of treatment for patients requiring upper gastro-intestinal surgery.

"This is of great benefit for many patients as it means that they no longer require invasive diagnostic procedures to find out whether they need surgery.

"The Magic Eye Appeal was an enormous success and I would once again like to thank all those people who were involved in the fund-raising or who made donations to the Appeal."