A HAMPSHIRE hospital threw open its doors to give visitors a glimpse of its life-saving work.

University Hospital Southampton’s open day had activities and stalls to give guests of all ages the chance to find out about the services it provides, as well its ground-breaking research.

Proceedings were officially opened by Fiona Dalton, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust’s chief executive and the mayor of Southampton, Les Harris.

The theme for 2017 was ‘Health Hero Academy’ and the public were able to work their way around the hospital completing tasks before graduating from the special one-day-only school.

There was the opportunity for a peek inside an ambulance and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s air ambulance, a visit to an operating theatre and even a chance to see the hawk who helps to keep the site pest-free.

Fundraising efforts on the day will go towards the hospital’s plans to build a dedicated children’s emergency and trauma department.

The hospital, along with The Murray Parish Trust, are raising £2 million in two years to fund the state-of -the-art scheme.

Liz Allaway, research engagement manager at the Cancer Research UK Southampton Centre, based at the hospital, said: “We’ve opened up our centre for the day - there are lab tours, taking part in research studies, a giant DNA structure that people can add to. People don’t always know that we have some world-leading research here in Southampton, particularly in immunotherapy.”

James Champion, from Shirley, who was visiting with his family, said: “For some years my son has been really interested in stuff like this and we live nearby.”

Emma-Jane Abdulaal, membership manager at the trust, said: “It’s gone really well, it’s our busiest turnout yet – we have people queuing for everything this year.

“There’s an emphasis on the people we work with, like South Central Ambulance Service, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance – in the NHS Trust we all work together.”