LEIGH people will benefit from a new state of the art scanner, thanks to funds raised for this year's Mayor's charity.

The £40,000 scanner bought for the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust, will be able to detect and diagnose various forms of cancer and other diseases at an early stage.

The scanner appeal was the charity of the Mayor of Wigan Cllr John Hilton. It has been so successful that cash left over will be used by the Trust to buy a Holmium Laser -- which treats certain types of tumour without surgery.

Among the fund raisers were Friends of Wigan and Leigh Hospital, Freeman of the Borough Tommy Sale who organised a family day at Leigh Centurions Rugby Club and local baker Waterfields who agreed to donate 1p from every sausage roll they sold to the appeal.

The borough's first 10k road race in February raised thousands of pounds and council staff held a sponsored blitz on litter in 16 wards.