A £1,000 donation to the scanner appeal means it has broken through the £21,000 barrier.

Bryant Homes gave the cheque to Colchester General Hospital as part of a campaign backed by the Evening Gazette.

Sara Stanhope, Bryant Homes senior sales manager, said: "Bryant Homes is delighted to be able to contribute £1,000 towards the appeal for a maternity and gynaecological scanner."

Every day through December the Evening Gazette is asking readers to get involved with fundraising activities to help the hospital reach a minimum of £25,000 for the vital piece of equipment.