AN inflatable armchair is being used to help overweight patients at Boston's Pilgrim Hospital who take a tumble to get back on their feet.

Called the Camel, the device can be slid under a patient who has fallen on the floor.

It then gently inflates into an armchair leaving the patient in a sitting position.

The device – which can be used on people weighing up to 50 stone – was bought after an obese patient fell in the outpatients department at the Pilgrim.

Staff were unable to get her up and eventually paramedics were called to help.

Candi Booth, junior sister in department's eye clinic, said: "The paramedics used the Camel device and suggested we buy one."

Retailing at £3,000, the Camel was donated to the department by the hospital's League of Friends.

Since its arrival at the end of last year, Ms Booth said it has proved to be invaluable.

She said: "It can be used for elderly people but more for larger people as they are the hardest to move.

"It's a nice, easy and gentle way of getting up without pulling at their joints. We're not supposed to lift patients but just assist them.

"So the Camel provides a much more dignified way of getting people on their feet without putting hospital staff at risk of injury."

Boston was dubbed the fat capital of England in 2006 after its high obesity levels were revealed in a Government report.

Ms Booth said: "We need equipment like this as a consequence of people getting bigger.

"We still have to give them the care and it's just unfortunate that we do need to have these devices."