John Hutton has announced a multi-million pound contract for a private company to provide additional MRI scans for the NHS.

The contract, worth "tens of million of pounds", was welcomed by the minister as a major boost to the health service's capacity.

Under the deal Alliance Medical will undertake 120,000 extra scans a year for NHS patients using 12 mobile screening units.

The units will begin operating towards the end of next month and will cost less than half the equivalent NHS price.

"This is a great deal for the NHS and its patients," said Hutton.

"It will help reduce the long waits that some patients experience for their MRI scans.

"By taking the units to those areas with the longest waits, we are prioritising those with the greatest need.

"Last week, the government promised to cut waiting times for MRI scans.  This is the first instalment of a major expansion in scanning capacity that will come online in the next 12 months."

The mobile scanners will help in the diagnosis of many cancers and other serious conditions such as congenital disorders.

They will be shard around the country, but will be targeted on areas of greatest need.