Currently, people needing scans are forced to embark on round-trips of up to 250 miles - to Oswestry, Gobowen or Manchester - due to a lack of equipment in the region.

It is clear there is a definite need for this equipment in the area as patients currently have to travel long distances to have this kind of scan

Jane Hutt Welsh Health Minister

The machine, which will be paid for by the Welsh Assembly Government, is used in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis - a condition in which bones become brittle.

The scanner, which measures bone density, will be located in Llandudno.

Welsh Health Minister Jane Hutt said the installation of the equipment was a crucial step.

"I am pleased to announce the provision of the dual X-Ray scanner for north Wales," she said.

"It is clear there is a definite need for this equipment in the area as patients currently have to travel long distances to have this kind of scan," she said.

Radiotherapy cash

The scan involves less than one tenth of the dosage of radiation that is given by a chest X-ray.

The announcement comes days after the Welsh Assembly pledged an extra �1.5m to the North Wales Cancer Centre at Glan Clwyd hospital in Bodelwyddan.

Glan Clwyd's cancer unit has received money

The money will be spent on providing extra radiotherapy equipment.

Vale of Clwyd AM Ann Jones said the funding would play a vital role in tackling cancer.

"The assembly is investing millions in fighting cancer - an investment which will help to make the survival prospects of many sufferers very good," she said.

Cancer, along with coronary heart disease and better mental health services has been singled out as a top priority for assembly ministers.