SURGEONS at Torbay Hospital have been performing their first operations using a state-of-the-art robot.

The £1.5million 'Da Vinci' machine has been in use for the last two months and has so far carried out 19 operations, mainly on cancer patients.

Winniford Moore, 81, from Paignton, was one of the first patients to be operated on by a surgeon using the new machine.

She was treated for cancer and is very impressed with the results.

"As soon as I came round I felt normal," she said.

"It is incredible."

She said the two tiny incisions where the robot went in were just over an inch long.

Winniford was out of hospital just five days after the seven-hour operation. Which was successful in removing the tumour.

Her surgeon, Steven Mitchell, said the robot has benefits for someone of Mrs Moore's age because it allows people to recover more quickly from surgery.

Recovery time from operations using the machine are equal to or better than for keyhole surgery.

The robot is the first of its kind in the UK and one of only two in Europe.

It allows the surgeon to see a 3D picture of what they are doing and can be used to perform microscopic tasks.

Consultant surgeon, Nick Kenefick said the state-of-the-art technology in this robot makes it different from others in the country.

He said: "There is improved vision and better clarity of picture and much better dexterity.

"It allows us to do very precise surgery."

Mr Mitchell has been a surgeon for seven years and believes robots are the way forward.

"This is the biggest change in my practice and will be for many years to come. It's only going to get better and better.

"You can compare it to the advance of computers.

"Robotic surgery is the way of the future."

The Torbay Hospital League of Friends raised a large amount towards the purchase of the robot.