It's magic - scanner unveiled

And they also revealed that the generosity of readers who had backed the Lancashire Evening Telegraph campaign would push the total to £320,000 by the appeal's conclusion at the end of March.

That means there is enough money left to cover the running costs of the three endoscopic ultrasound scanners for two years.

Medical staff were working on the equipment for the first time today after the special ceremony at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, last night.

Ian Woolley, chairman of both the Magic Eye Appeal and Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Trust, said: "We have been totally overwhelmed. I hoped, when the appeal was launched, that we would raise £200,000 by March.

"I retire at the end of the month and wanted to raise that by then. But I never thought we could raise this much by the end of March.

"We will be a centre of excellence for cancer in the UK. Nobody else has this amount of equipment. In Liverpool and Leeds they have some, but not all of it.

"It is brilliant news for East Lancashire."

Awards were presented to the co-ordinators and overall organisers of the appeal --sponsored by Thwaites brewery -- during an emotional night.

Special tributes were paid to Mr Woolley and Sheila Shaw, the appeal's co-ordinator, for their outstanding dedication since the launch on May 24.

Thanks was also given to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, and in particular editor Kevin Young, assistant editor (news) Andrew Turner, picture editor Neil Johnson and reporter Clare Cook.

But the biggest thank you was sent to the people of East Lancashire, whose staggering fundraising efforts made last night possible.

Mayors or dignitaries from all of East Lancashire's boroughs and the medical staff who will use the equipment looked on as it was unveiled.

Rob Watson, a consultant surgeon at Blackburn Royal Infirmary, said:

"It will make a big difference to us and will help us a great deal."