A THOUSAND walkers hit the streets to provide a massive boost to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph Magic Eye Appeal.

Early estimates show that people taking part in yesterday's six sponsored events across the area have raised £50,000.

The appeal aims to raise £200,000 to provide a state-of-the-art endoscopic cancer scanner to benefit the whole of East Lancashire.

Ian Woolley, chairman of the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Healthcare Trust, has overseen the organising for all the walks.

He said: "I'm absolutely over the moon. It just takes your breath away to think people have been so fantastically generous.

"I thank the people throughout East Lancashire for giving the Magic Eye appeal such a huge boost.

"The sooner we have this scanner the better.

"Let's keep up the good work and raise that £200,000."