A lucky 11-year-old got to see Broomfield Hospital's new high-tech surgical robot in action after winning a competition to give it a name.

Rayne Primary School student Joe Squire and his little brother Sam, six, donned surgical aprons, and visited the hospital last Thursday (August 2) to see how the robot - now named Buster - works.

The brothers met with surgeon Sri Kadirkamanathan, trust chairman Nick Alston and theatre matron Samuel Gnanamani, who explained to them and their mother April, about the hospital's robotic surgery appeal and the pioneering work which Buster will be a part of.

Joe and Sam even had the chance to operate the console, which Mr Kadirkamanathan explained was not too different than playing a games console.

Mum April Squire said: "It was fantastic to learn how modern technology is advancing so fast and to get a hands on, in depth view of it was out of this world.”

Buster is used for gastrointestinal surgery at the hospital and can complete precision operations which would otherwise not be possible.

Yvonne Carter, charities manager for Mid Essex Hospitals Trust, said: “It has been absolutely wonderful to be able to reach out to young people and give them an insight into the surgery of the future. Some of the young people reading may even be inspired to become the surgeons of tomorrow.

“Congratulations to Joe on winning this competition – he can always know that Buster is now helping people across the Mid Essex area.”

Broomfield Hospital are raising £1.5 million in order to continue the use of robotic techniques in Chelmsford, with Buster being the only gastrointestinal surgery bot in the country.