WE'RE half way there! Magic Eye fund-raisers have broken the £100,000 barrier.

But appeal organisers today stressed that there was still a lot of work to be done before we can buy a state-of-the-art cancer scanner for the people of East Lancashire.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph appeal, launched in May, aims to raise £200,000 for an ultrasound endoscopic scanner.

The equipment will benefit the whole of East Lancashire by offering quicker and less traumatic diagnosis of stomach and oesophagus cancer.

Fund-raising will be boosted further by the six Magic Eye walks being held across the area on Sunday October 13.

But Magic Eye co-ordinator Sheila Shaw, said: "Everybody has been fantastic so far and worked so hard -- now we need to carry on a reach the big target."

Meanwhile, 200 more walkers have signed up to the Magic Eye Appeal sponsored walks on October 13, taking the total to 1,400. But chairman of Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Healthcare Trust Ian Woolley wants to get at least 2,000.

He said: "I want more walkers from every area, especially Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, to sign up and help us. I'm sure we can get the figure to 2,000."

The £100,000 landmark was reached thanks to a bitter-sweet donation from The League of Friends of Blackburn Royal Infirmary. Although they boosted the appeal by presenting a cheque for £2,050, the figure was the remainder of their account.

It was a last gesture of the Friends, who have worked tirelessly for the hospital but have reluctantly had to stop fund-raising due to failing health and lack of new volunteers.

At a final meeting it was unanimously agreed all money left in their account should go to the Magic Eye Appeal.

Mrs Shaw said the group had achieved a great deal for the benefit of patients and users of the service: "This final gift will certainly bring great benefit to many people by improving the cancer treatment facilities for the people of the area.

"Thanks to the massive support received by everyone concerned, we are absolutely delighted."

Acting chief executive of the Blackburn hospital trust paid tribute to the work of the Friends over the last 12 years.

He said: "Not only do you raise money, but you also give it to us as well -- what could be better than that?"