The life and times of one of North Yorkshire's best-loved hospitals has been documented in a new short film.

The faces and stories from St Monica's Hospital in Easingwold form the subject of a video which the hospital will use for fundraising, and which will also be buried in the town's Millennium time capsule.

The 12-minute long video, entitled simply St Monica's Hospital, was produced free of charge by town resident Barbara Twigg, a former producer with Yorkshire Television, and directed by her long-time colleague Len Lurcuck.

Barbara said: "Hopefully, it shows something of the caring and the compassion which make this hospital so special.

"St Monica's has already been hailed as one of the best-run hospitals working in tandem with a health authority in the country, so it was a marvellous opportunity to give a full picture of its uniqueness.

"It can also be used to show relatives of patients the kind of excellent care their loved ones will receive here."

Jean Fargher, the hospital's nurse manager, was delighted to hand over a copy to town mayor Councillor Shirley Shepherd.

"It's a really great idea," Jean said. "We wanted to have something to put in the time capsule, as well as something which the Friends of St Monica's could have to promote the hospital for fundraising.

"It shows the work that goes on here and the hard work of all the hospital's supporters."

Coun Shepherd said: "I'm going to enjoy looking at it. There is so much going on here to shout about."

The video will join other commemorative items in the time capsule, which will be buried at St John the Baptist and All Saints' Church, Easingwold, later this year - to be opened in 100 years' time.

Updated: 11:30 Tuesday, May 15, 2001