Fundraisers have achieved a new landmark in the Bradford Millennium Scanner Appeal - and are now casting the dice to reach the £1 million target.

The appeal total has smashed the two-thirds barrier of £666,000 to stand at an impressive £668,000.

The landmark comes barely 15 months after the launch of the T&A-backed effort to install a magnetic resonance imaging scanner at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Hospital chiefs are currently drawing up specifications for the machine, which will scan 2,500 people a year.

They have appointed superintendent radiographer Stephen Gibbs who will operate the scanner once the appeal target is reached and the machine is in place.

He has six year's experience using a MRI scanner at Derby Royal Infirmary and says coming to a hospital without the state-of-the-art technology is like stepping back in time.

He said his aim was to create a centre of excellence in MRI scanning which would give a first class service to thousands of people.

"It is like stepping back slightly to look forwards but the anticipation is there because the machine here will be more modern than the one I was used to and will be coming hopefully in a few months time," he said.

"I'm involved in drawing up the specification for the machine and the next stage will be choosing which one we are going to go for.

"Obviously we need to get it right now because it's going to be there for the next generation and the people of Bradford need the one which is best for them.

"My aim is to make it one of the best departments around so people will be looking to come to us to be scanned.

"We have got two thirds of the way and it's a lot closer to the target than it was a year ago.

"But there is still a long way to go and an extra push will make the difference."

Linda Pollard, chairman of Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "It really is truly amazing that we have managed to get so far in such a short period of time.

"To have reached this mark so soon really is down to the generosity and support of the people of Bradford and district who have taken the appeal to their hearts.

"People have recognised how vital this equipment is and what it will mean for local residents, and they have really dug deep."

The gift which took the appeal through the two-thirds barrier was from a ten-pin bowling match organised by Royal Mail staff, who have so far raised more than £5,000 for the campaign.

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