For many people a hospital is not a place you want to visit, unless you have to.

But more than 500 people took the opportunity to discover more about how far the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn has come in recent years, at its open day yesterday.

Visitors enjoyed a tour of the building and youngsters could take their wounded toys with them to the special pop-up toy hospital at the Roxburgh day centre.

Families also had fun guessing who the famous patient - Peppa Pig - was in the newly revamped x-ray department, which has undergone a £1m refurbishment project, There were also emergency vehicles, including the helicopter from the East Anglian Air Ambulance, a fire engine from the Norfolk fire service, and the SERV blood bikes, to see close up.

Staff from departments across the hospital also took the opportunity to promote the hard work undertaken in west Norfolk's busy acute hospital. They also took part in the Halloween-themed bedpan challenge.

West Norfolk mayor David Whitby officially opened the event with hospital chairman Edward Libbey and chief executive Dorothy Hosein.

Mrs Hosein, who was delighted with the day's success, said: 'It has been a pleasure to see so many people, of all ages, come and join this celebration with us.

'The hospital's been on a journey over the last few years and this was an ideal opportunity to share the hard work put in by our staff with the wider community.

'It was important for people to see both the transformation of the hospital building, in terms of our new theatres and our new breast and midwifery-led birthing units, and how we are ensuing we continue to provide an excellent standard of care to our patients.

'I would like to thank the staff who gave up their time to support this event along with the people who put so much effort into creating such a successful day.'

The King's Lynn Rock Choir also took part in the event.

Are you holding an open day? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk