AN Otley surgeon is looking for approval to use locally raised money to buy vital medical equipment for a Leeds hospital.

But while the £16,000 machine, used in the treatment of breast cancer patients, will be at Chapel Allerton Hospital it will benefit people from all over - including Otley and Wharfedale.

Now, Wharfedale general surgeon Hasmukh Shah, who launched the £25,000 appeal last year while he was president of Otley Lions, is seeking the approval of all those who gave to the appeal.

He said: "Otley Lions Club has received a request for funds to buy a machine for Chapel Allerton which would benefit all breast cancer patients treated there.

"But I will listen to what anyone has to say because everyone has been so marvellous. Every time I have launched an appeal I have always received such a tremendous and generous response so I thought it only fair that I ask for people's comments."

The appeal, which ran throughout 2000, was so successful that it exceeded its target by £500.

At the time, Mr Shah said the aim was to benefit breast cancer patients from Otley and the surrounding district.

"As people will be aware, the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, of which Wharfedale Hospital is a part, has been planning an extensive reorganisation of the services which it provides.

"One of the results of this is that as far as breast cancer is concerned, only diagnostic work is carried out in Otley which already has adequate and up to date equipment."

Anyone needing surgery, and further diagnostic work, will now have to go to the Leeds General Infirmary or to Chapel Allerton Hospital.

Mr Shah said the machine, an argon diathermy machine, would make a lot of difference to surgical practice by reducing blood loss during operations.

"Mr Kieran Horgan, the consultant breast surgeon who is in charge of breast care in LGI, Chapel Allerton and at Wharfedale Hospital, desperately wants this machine as soon as possible as it will make a lot of difference in surgical practice.

"Blood loss during operations will be reduced considerably, there will be a reduction in time taken to carry out the operations and more cases can be performed in the same time."

Mr Shah added Otley Lions agreed it would be acceptable to use £16,000 of the appeal but that people should be given the chance to comment.

"As this equipment will not be used specifically in Wharfedale Hospital, we thought those who contributed to the appeal should be made aware of the proposal and given the chance to comment."

Anyone who would like to get in touch with Mr Hasmukh Shah can contact him at Wharfedale Hospital on (0113) 392 2057.