More than 100 local people can now see clearly thanks to a hospital blitz on cataract operations.

The ambitious scheme to reduce the lengthy waiting lists has been made possible by the arrival of a 40 strong South African healthcare team.

The first sessions began last Thursday and by Tuesday this week 200 people had been seen and 108 cataract operations had been successfully carried out.

A whole ward at the RLI has been turned over to the initiative, which has cost £750,000.

As well as drafting in the doctors, nurses and technicians, state of the art equipment has been hired.

The last operation is booked in for November 17 but some staff will stay on to offer post-operative care.

"One man said the operation was like an early Christmas present, one of the best he had ever received," said Health Trust boss, Ian Cumming.

"I was very keen that we should carry out this initiative to improve the sight of many hundreds of people, mainly the elderly, who are currently waiting over a year for their operations.

Over the last few days I have spoken to many patients who have been part of this initiative.

These conversations have completely convinced me that all the hard work put in has been completely worthwhile.

We are pleased that eye surgery at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary has been one of the first areas that has been tackled."

Funding for the scheme came from the Government's Overseas Clinical Team Initiative and the 40-strong team comprised of eight consultants, four anaesthetists and a range of technical, nursing and support staff.

The Trust hope to do 800 operations by mid November.