A Norwich hospital has started to offer a new procedure to help people with abnormal, rapid heart rhythms.

The purchase of new electrophysiology equipment at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has been made possible thanks to its Sparks 4 Hearts fundraising appeal.

It is the start of the hospital being able to offer this type of treatment to people in Norfolk, instead of patients having to travel to Cambridge or London.

But the appeal still needs to raise �170,000 towards its final goal of �400,000, so it can expand its electrophysiology service, which involves investigating and treating the electrical impulses in the heart which can go wrong and cause abormal heart rhythms.

N&N consultant cardiologist Liam Hughes said most patients prefer to be treated nearer home if possible.

He said: 'At the moment with the equipment we have we are able to undertake the simplest forms of electrophysiology diagnosis and some of the straight forward cases in terms of treatment.

'But for the more complex cases patients are still having to tavel to Papworth or to the National Heart Hospital.

'The aim is to develop the service here so we are able to undertake the full spectrum of electrophysiology investigation and treatment at the N&N.'

Since it started in June, so far 25 patients have had electrophysiology and the N&N estimates that it will have helped 200 patients by the end of this financial year.

Donations can be made by sending a cheque to Norfolk Heart Trust (Sparks 4 Hearts), treasurer Dr A J F Page, 215 Unthank Road, Norwich, NR2 2PH. They can also be made by bank transfer to Lloyds TSB sort code 30-96-17, account number 02473424, online at www.norfolkhearttrust.co.uk or via the Just Giving website at www.justgiving.com.

Are you a patient who has been helped by electrophysiology at the N&N? Contact health reporter Kim Briscoe on 01603 772419 or email kim.briscoe@archant.co.uk.