A 61-year-old woman has become the first in Norfolk to benefit from new cutting-edge radiotherapy hailed by experts as a "game changer".

Breast cancer patient Diane Pyle, of Tacolneston, is the first person in the county to have received surface-guided radiotherapy (SGRT) at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital (N&N).

The new type of therapy has recently been rolled out at the N&N and is designed to limit patient discomfort and treatment time.

It works using light beams and cameras to create a 3D outline of a patient's body to help radiographers make sure they are positioned to receive the x-rays to treat their cancer.

Surface-guided radiotherapy (SGRT) at the hospital (Image: NNUH)

This process means patients will also not require tattoo markers to be made ahead of their radiotherapy.

Ms Pyle said: "Having experienced both methods of treatment, I am really pleased and honestly a little excited to have been the first person to have benefitted from the new SGRT.

"It is less hands-on, there is no need for pen marks or permanent tattoos and is much quicker for me and the wonderful staff delivering my radiotherapy."

The new equipment has cost more than £1m and will see the N&N become a point of reference for other hospitals considering introducing SGRT.

Jo Thomas, clinical operational manager at the hospital, said: "SGRT is a complete game changer for patients and we are excited to be able to use this new technology.

"Patients don't need to be handled and moved by us as much, they're in the treatment room for a shorter time, and it is much nicer not to have a tattoo, because they're not left with a visual reminder of a really difficult time after their treatment has finished."

The N&N is currently the only hospital in Norfolk offering this treatment.