PRE-SCHOOL children have been given a special insight into how work is progressing on Airedale Hospital's new emergency department.

Ten youngsters from Nightingales Day Nursery at the hospital visited the construction site, operated by Willmott Dixon.

The three and four-year-olds, accompanied by nursery staff, were given a tour of the area where the £6.3 million development is being built.

And the children had the chance to put their painted hand prints onto the walls.

Willmott Dixon site manager Gavin Redfern said: “The children had a great time looking around the site and they were all very well behaved. They loved the hand prints!”

Paul Jennings, clinical director for acute and emergency medicine at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We were very excited about the hand prints – they will be there for as long as the building stands."

The prints won't be visible once work is complete, but will be enclosed within walls.

Dr Jennings added: "How a child is playing and interacting with others is one of the ways we assess children when they come to A&E.”