Premature babies and other newborns needing specialist care are to benefit after West Suffolk Hospital's neonatal unit was left a legacy of £335,000.

The donation was gifted to the hospital in a will, and earmarked specifically for use in the unit.

A decision on what the money will be spent on will be made over the next few months.

The latest legacy comes after a similar gift of £200,000 was made in 2011, which was used to improve the care offered to breast cancer patients by bringing assessment, imaging and diagnostic services into one place in the new integrated breast unit.

It is hoped the legacies will prompt more people to remember the hospital in their will and help make a difference to future patients.

Patricia Davis, head of midwifery at West Suffolk Hospital, said: 'We are delighted that the neonatal unit will receive such a fantastic sum as a result of this generous legacy.

'We will now look in detail at the various projects which could benefit from this money before deciding how to spend it to make the biggest difference to the babies we care for and their families.'

Dave Gooderham, fundraising manager for the West Suffolk Hospital Charity, said: 'We are extremely grateful for every donation or legacy we receive. Every penny is channelled straight into improving the services we offer for our patients and the environment from which we provide care.

'We are delighted with the latest generous legacy we have received and hope that it prompts even more people to think about donating to the hospital in the future.'

For more information on leaving a legacy, please call 01284 713169.