A £500,000 machine is set to revolutionise treatment for patients recovering from brain injuries.

The Brain and Spinal Injury Centre (BASIC), which was set up by Derek Gaskell, from Lostock, has become home to the remarkable CAREN machine.

Standing for Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment – the machine is the only one of its kind in the country.

The unique room-sized system immerses patients in a virtual reality environment with games and exercises programmed to help identify specific problems.

The charity, based in Salford, spent more than two years researching and raising money for CAREN which will be used to treat a wide variety of neurological and orthopaedic disorders.

The machine marks a big step forward in the treatment provided by BASIC which helps and supports people from across the North West.

BASIC chairman Mr Gaskell said: “It has always been our goal to get the machine. It’s so different from what everyone else seems to have.

“Thousands of people in the North West and Bolton have supported this charity over the years and we can benefit them with what we are doing.

“It’s early days but the potential is amazing.”

CAREN was built in Holland, and BASIC staff visited hospitals in America and Canada to see it in action.

Using a green screen, harness and a bank of computers, the machine not only helps patients regain their movement but can also identify the problem areas of the brain, aiding recovery.

Problems resulting from strokes and brain tumours, to sports injuries and whiplash can be treated with the machine.

The project to CAREN to BASIC has been lead by BASIC's chief executive Wendy Edge who said it was a major leap forward in the facilities available people recovering from neurological and orthopaedic problems.

She said: “Having seen it in action in the USA, we’re confident it could change the future of physical therapy.

“The ground-breaking system is used across the world in universities for medical research and by the military, but has never been available in a community setting in the UK.”

BASIC is not part of the NHS but is affiliated with the Greater Manchester Neurosciences at Salford Royal Hospital, formerly Hope Hospital.