A visit by The Duchess of Kent made the 30th anniversary celebration extra-special for patients and staff of Paul Strickland Scanner Centre at Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood, on Tuesday.

Established by Dr Paul Strickland in 1985, the centre marked this milestone with the launch of an appeal to raise funds for a new CT scanner.

Claire Strickland, Chief Executive and daughter of the centre’s founder, said: "We do not receive any direct government funding, so we rely entirely on donations to fund our scanner replacement programme.

"We have fantastic local support, however high-level scanners cost upwards of £1 million. This is why we desperately need continued support if we are to carry on giving our patients the very best diagnostic facilities.

"My father was incredibly proud of the Centre and its achievements and I can think of no better tribute to his work than to mark our 30th anniversary by funding a new CT scanner.2 Centre staff were joined on the day by supporters, sponsors, and special guests who were treated to music by the Harrow Apollo Male Choir on the lawn, before the arrival of The Duchess of Kent.

She was presented with flowers by Eve Melsome, aged three-and-a-half, and spoke with patients and their families before unveiling a commemorative plaque.

She said: "I was honoured and grateful - on the 30th June 2015 - to have the opportunity to meet patients and their families at the launch of the Scanner Centre 's 30th Anniversary Appeal."

As she was touring the facilities, she added: "I am overjoyed to see the development of this extraordinary place since my last visit and to witness personally the very high quality standard of care to all the patients that come there for treatment."