A farmer's legacy has transformed facilities for patients being cared for at Paulton Memorial Hospital.

John Stacey, who lived in Hallatrow, bequeathed the majority of his estate to the hospital's League of Friends at the request of his parents.

The League of Friends, working with Sirona Care and Health, which runs the hospital, have used the funds to create a new day room and specialist therapy areas, as well as a wet room and piped oxygen to each of the ward's 28 beds.

Named after the man whose gift enabled the project to go ahead, the John Stacey Ward was officially opened by Nigel Dando, a journalist with Radio Bristol, whose late sister, Jill, opened the previously upgraded facilities in 1997. He was joined for the official ribbon cutting and plaque unveiling by Sue Padfield, Chair of the League of Friends. Jenny Theed, Sirona'sDirector of Operations, paid tribute to the work of the League and said: "The Friends have always been clear about their vision that whatever was developed at this hospital would benefit the residents of Paulton and North East Somerset.

"We have worked very closely and I think we have come up with a fantastic scheme which is benefiting people who use this hospital. There are not many organisations who can invest three quarters of a million pounds into a hospital to create something of this calibre.

"It is a centre of excellence for the rehabilitation and care for the older person."

Mrs Padfield recalled how the hospital, originally founded in 1872, was split by Salisbury Road before the new facilities were opened in 1997. She thanked John Stacey for his bequest in 2001, thevolunteers and the dedication of Sirona staff who continued to provide care for patients during the building work.

Nikki Woodland, Sirona's head of integrated in-patient care, said: "The day room provides a central area which is at the heart of the ward, so that patients feel safer and the staff are able to see the patients more easily.

"The therapy facilities enable group and individual rehabilitation sessions to take place away from the patient's bedside.

"The Friends have been brilliant and none of this would have been possible without them. Their support is absolutely phenomenal."

Ken Saunders, John Stacey's family lawyer, from Thatcher and Hallam, in Midsomer Norton, said: "He was a lovely chap, who was an only child. He lived at the family farm for most of his life and I believe his mother had said if he didn't get married, then his estate should go to the hospital. Apparently, this was because the family had good reason to be thankful to the hospital for something which had happened in the 1930's."