Airedale Hospital is staging its annual open event next Friday.

There will be a range of interactive displays and the public will have the chance to try its hand at using surgical equipment.

Information will be provided on a range of health topics, from maternity care to preventing bowel cancer and looking after your heart.

People can learn how to read an X-ray, use an ultrasound machine, receive a health check and enjoy talks — in the lecture theatre — on subjects from healthy eating to becoming an NHS trust member and apprenticeships.

There will also be children’s quizzes and games.

Blood pressure checks will be on offer.

And there will be updates on the current swine flu situation and information for people interested in a career in the NHS.

Free refreshments will be available and there will be a tombola and stalls.

The noon-6pm event will be held at the hospital’s education centre and in a marquee outside.

Airedale NHS Trust chairman Colin Millar said: “We hope that as many people as possible come along to the event. It was really successful last year and this year it should be even bigger and better.

“There’s plenty going on and everything is really interactive so it’s a fantastic opportunity for people to come and find out more about their hospitals while they’re relaxed and not worried — as many people are when they come to hospital.”

There will be designated parking in the west car park.

The event will be preceded at 11am by the trust’s annual meeting.