A trip to hospital is being eased for Bradford's youngest patients with the full opening of the children's Accident & Emergency unit.

The unit, in Bradford Royal Infirmary's new £4 million A&E department, could be used by up to 25,000 young patients a year - about a quarter of visits to the department are by children.

The theme of the stunning separate area is a galleon, with masts, sails, colourful murals and mock-treasure chests for seats. There are books and toys for children during their wait for treatment.

The mammoth task of opening a new department has gone well in its initial weeks, said A&E consultant Tony Shenton, although computer systems had had some teething problems.

And he believed the far better environment for patients - with spacious and light waiting areas and state-of-the-art treatment cubicles - meant patients and their families had been calmer and less frustrated at having to wait than they had been in the cramped, former premises.

"Staff are very happy that they're working in an environment that gives them a lot of space," Mr Shenton added.

The department is seeing numbers of attendances rise, with staff expecting to hit the 100,000 barrier for the first time this year, making the unit one of the busiest in the country.

A & E Consultant Pete Bradley's two sons, ten-year-old Nicholas and Paul, aged seven, pictured with their dad, gave the new children's unit a big thumbs up.

"I like it, it's much better than the old one," said Nicholas. "That just had toys and was white and boring, but this has got a theme - the pirate ship!"

Mr Bradley senior said the area, complete with its own talking parrot, had attracted a lot of compliments from patients.

"We wanted somewhere that would be different and would interest the children, and we've picked toys designed to distract their attention while they wait.

"We've had nothing but positive comments from adults and kids and everyone seems to love it, which is great when you consider it cost the same as a normal looking ward.

"Staff have had a real input into its design, with nurses choosing different looks for each cubicle, and developing it has been one of the most gratifying things we've ever done."

Mr Bradley thinks the main A & E area has also enjoyed the knock-on benefit of being less crowded, with a corresponding reduction in violent behaviour.

Open on a part-time basis at the moment, the 'Galleon' is due to fully set sail in two weeks' time, when its hours will run from 12pm to 12am.

l The hospital is keen to acquire a 'plasma' video screen for the unit so it can show computer-based health education programmes.

Anyone who can help should contact the hospital on (01274) 364012.