The new equipment, which uses all the latest technology, cost £60,000 and includes an endoscopy processing system, monitor and scope guide.

The scope guide uses MRI technology to give a virtual image of what the scope is seeing inside the patient's colon.

The monitor uses high definition screen technology with the ability to change the light spectrum. This permits the doctor to see things which aren't visible in normal light.

Mr Andrew Aldridge, consultant surgeon and Trust's endoscopy clinical lead, said, "On behalf of the unit, I would like to thank the Friends for their generosity.

"This is a remarkable piece of equipment that will make a real difference to the patients we treat and the service we provide.

"We can now get a clearer image and thanks to the technology see things we previously were not able to see, helping to improve diagnosis and treatment."

Dr Peter Nash, chairman of the Friends of Eastbourne Hospitals, said, "Our charity is very happy to have been able to help this vital area of diagnostics to enable patients at the DGH provide receive an enhanced level of care."

Endoscopy is a procedure where the inside of the body is directly examined using a device known as an endoscope.

An endoscope is a thin, long flexible tube that contains both a light source and a video camera, so images of the inside of the body can be relayed to an external monitor.

It is primarily a diagnostic tool although some specially adapted endoscopes can be used for treatment.