THE DORSET Echo has launched a fantastic competition this week where readers have a chance of winning 27 sensational prizes.

And at the same time you’ll be helping the Dorset County Hospital’s Digital Mammography Appeal where all the proceeds of the competition will be donated. Since its launch in the beginning of March this year the hospital appeal has inspired the people of Dorset to donate thousands of pounds and rally around to raise funds for a vitally needed piece of equipment.

A total of £500,000 is needed in total in order to purchase and install a mammography mach-ine that will move the hospital’s mammography mach-ine from film and chemicals to digital – meaning faster diagnosis, more accurate detection and an ability to treat greater numbers.

Recent figures show that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and of these, one in four will die from the disease.

So far, with a sterling effort from fundraisers and people in the community, the appeal has raised £325,000 but a big boost is needed in order to raise the remaining £175,000.

With that in mind the Echo has launched this competition which aims to get thousands of readers to enter before the closing date on Wednesday, May 11.

Echo editor Toby Granville said: “Local celebrities, businesses and politicians have been overwhelmingly generous, don-ating such fabulous prizes to our competition. “I hope that everyone will pick up the phone and enter this week so that you’ll not only have a chance of winning but also help fund this life-saving appeal.”

All you have to do is answer the simple question, pick up your phone and either send a text or call the corresponding number with the competition prize you want the most.

If you want them all you can enter as many times as you want – and at the same time donate around £1 each time to the appeal.

Today we reveal three more prizes – a two day fishing cookery course at Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage, a dinner for two at Michelin star-rated restaurant Sienna in Dorchester and lunch for two at the House of Commons with South Dorset MP Richard Drax.