Medical equipment to help women recovering from breast cancer and reconstruction surgery has been donated to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital by the Keeping Abreast support group.

Two of the group's committee members, Liz Winter from Knapton, and Carol Hale from Norwich, presented the Coltishall Ward with two electronic blood pressure machines worth a total of �2,000.

The two women both had operations in 2007 using living tissue transplanted from the stomach.

Ms Winter said: 'We now invite partners along to the support group because it helps them to understand why women want a reconstruction.

'My own husband couldn't see why it was necessary and I had to explain it was my decision and I did it for me alone.'

Ms Hale added: 'It may be hard for people who have not been through this to understand, but the reconstruction was necessary for me to feel like a real woman again after my mastectomy.'

Ward sister Linda Alderton said the equipment would help nurses to monitor patients when they return from theatre.

She said: 'These are vital pieces of equipment and having them close to hand on the ward means nurses have more time to spend with their patients.

'We have a close affinity with the Keeping Abreast group as most of the ladies have been patients on Coltishall Ward at some time and we are very grateful for their generosity.'

The Keeping Abreast group was launched in 2007 and now has more than 200 members who meet on a regular basis to provide help and support for those undergoing breast reconstruction.

For more information on Keeping Abreast, go to www.keepingabreast.org.uk