An Acomb pharmacy has expanded its health services after becoming one of the first in the country to sign up to the Careway scheme.

Marsden Pharmacy now offers skin health services using a skin analyser machine and pain management services and hopes to soon offer help for kicking smoking, anti-malaria and diabetes testing.

Under the scheme, the independent chemists on Front Street, Acomb, has linked up with Celesio UK, owners of LloydsPharmacy.

Sue Hunter, chair of the traders' association Acomb Alive! who runs Floral Elegance Florists, said: “Keeping the range of shops and services on people's doorstep is just what is needed to keep the area vibrant and having a modern facility like this is part of the support that we can all give each other.

“The use of new technology to enhance high levels of Acomb customer care is a great innovation, with the benefits being to the public, who can access hundreds of different advice leaflets from the touch screens."