A major overhaul of patients' eating arrangements is to begin at a North Yorkshire hospital following concerns that meals were not being eaten.

The Friarage Hospital, at Northallerton, carried out an extensive survey of patients' eating habits which has inspired the rethink.

The new arrangements will see a main meal served during the evening rather than at lunchtime, with a continental-style breakfast and a snack around midday.

It was found that patients had more frequently undergone tests or investigations at lunchtimes and missed their main meal as they were not on the wards.

Northallerton Health Services Trust said that "some small savings may be made through these changes", but said that any such savings would be "reinvested directly into patient services".

It pledged that the catering department at the hospital would continue to monitor food consumption and continue to survey patients to ensure the changes benefited everyone concerned.