A Kent hospital is getting almost £3m government cash for new equipment to help diagnose two types of cancer.

The technology at the Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford will also speed up the treatment of lung and bowel cancer, meaning fewer patients having to travel to London.

Part of the £2.9m will also be spent on improving the A&E department at the hospital, which serves more than a quarter of a million people.

It will merge with the urgent care centre - meaning it should be able to cope with increased activity more efficiently.

The move is part of a £13.4m investment in state-of-the-art equipment at hospitals in the South East.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "I want NHS patients across the South East to get the best care and treatment.

"We have saved money in central capital budgets this year which means we can spend more money on improving NHS facilities.

"This will mean that more patients in the South East will benefit from the latest world class equipment."