A Sussex hospital is one of only three in England treating skin cancer patients with the latest specialist equipment.

Southlands Hospital in Shoreham uses a mole scanner worth £30,000.

It also has a photo-dynamic therapy unit which uses a special wavelength of light to destroy cancer cells while preserving the healthy skin.

Both pieces of equipment, together worth £40,000, were paid for by the hospital's League of Friends.

Freddy Harber, 32, from Worthing, is an early patient to benefit from the new equipment.

She has had a cancerous mole removed from her back and has several others which have to be checked every year.

She said: "I was badly sunburnt as a child but since then I have always been very careful about going out in the sun.

"The moles need to be examined regularly to make sure there are no problems developing.

"It is good to know that you can see very clearly and quickly if there is anything to be worried about."

The treatment for the photodynamic therapy unit consists of applying a special cream which is soaked up by cancer cells.

A pure red light is shone on the abnormal area and the light and cream form a chemical reaction which destroys the cells.

Healing is very rapid as there is minimal damage to healthy cells.

The mole scanner can detect malignant melanomas by assessing blood flow, collagen and melanin in any lesions on the skin.

A new dedicated dermatology unit has been set up at the hospital to cope with the growing demand.

Consultant dermatologist Arjida Woollons said: "The number of skin cancer cases is doubling every decade.

"It is fantastic we now have our own unit and thanks to the Southlands League of Friends we can offer our patients some of the most advanced technology in the country.

"The equipment is very accurate and easy to use or read. It means we can see more patients more quickly and get them the treatment they need.

"Before, if we were concerned about a lesion, we would have to take a sample and send it to the lab for examination which could take a few days.

"Now we can tell in a few minutes if there is something wrong. Early detection is very important when it comes to skin cancer and means we can start treatment as soon as possible."