THE widow of the late entertainer Roy Castle cut a ribbon to officially open the Royal Bournemouth Hospital's new acute lung unit.

Former dancer and singer Fiona Castle was also the inaugural speaker at a meeting of the new Inspire Support group for lung cancer patients and their families, which will be meeting every month in Ringwood.

Roy Castle died of lung cancer nearly 14 years ago.

Although he was a non-smoker, he had spent many years playing his trumpet in smoky jazz clubs.

The unit contains two beds within the respiratory ward and provides breathing support and specialist nursing for patients with lung failure.

Since opening nearly 18 months ago, it has helped more than 120 patients.

Thoracic consultant Dr Diane Laws said: "It's made a huge difference."