YEAR 5 pupils at Parkfield Primary School, Taunton, organised a charity ball that raised £1,877.74 towards the £1 million MRI Scanner Appeal at Musgrove Park Hospital.

Parents and staff attended the spring ball at the Cooper Associates County Ground, which was planned by the children with the help of The Friends of Parkfield.

A Musgrove spokesman said: "Our two existing MRI scanners are at full capacity and the hospital urgently needs a new scanner to continue to offer the best possible support to patients who need it the most.

"An additional scanner will help provide care to patients who may have breast cancer, neurological conditions, cardiac problems, tumours, spinal injuries and musculoskeletal disorders.

"Without it patients with serious illnesses may face a longer wait before diagnosis or have to travel to other parts of the country."

Liz Ladd, head of imaging at Musgrove, said: "We’re on track to raise enough money for a third MRI scanner at the hospital, but we still need that extra push to get us to the million.

"I want to say a huge thank you to the Year 5 children at Parkfield, whose efforts will go a long way to helping us achieve the target."