It looks as though this is just mindless vandalism

Alicia Custis, Christie Hospital

Police were called to the hospital's cytology department in Kinnaird Road after the raiders smashed their way into the building.

The 60-strong workforce were sent home while forensic experts continued their search of the laboratories.

However, staff at the hospital say that despite the extensive damage, nothing was stolen.

Alicia Custis, hospital communications manager, said: "It looks as though this is just mindless vandalism.

Results delay

"As far as we can see nothing has been stolen, they have just come in and wrecked the place.

"The tests for about 200 women have been damaged and this will put us back by two weeks.

"The department is already under pressure and this will make the situation worse.

"The damage is expected to run to at least �60,000 and that is in a hospital which is already hard-pressed."

Alma's illness led to a rise in demand for smear tests

Joanna Wallace, hospital chief executive, said: "The cytology department has been vandalised in the past but this is the worse we have ever seen.

"We work hard to provide an accurate and efficient service for patients and this senseless violence sets back all the hard work we do."

The department scrutinises 500 smear tests a week for women from all over the North West.

Pressure had already increased after Coronation Street character Alma Halliwell, played by Amanda Barrie, died as a result of cervical cancer.

The storyline led to a rise in the number of women coming forward to have smear tests and has been dubbed "The Alma Effect" at Christie's.

Ms Wallace added: "Our department has been under even greater pressure following the Coronation Street storyline and the deluge of calls for smears it instigated."