GIRLS at a North-East school were visited by a doctor this week, in a bid to show them surgery is not just for boys.

The sixth form pupils at Polam Hall School in Darlington were visited by Helen Richardson, an ear, nose and throat surgeon.

She gave students a series of short talks, and a practical introduction to the basic skills used by surgeons.

The visit is part of a series of nationwide workshops organised by Women in Surgical Training to tackle the under-representation of women in the surgical profession.

Marie Green, headteacher at Polam Hall School, said: "The girls really enjoyed having a go at being a surgeon and I'm sure some of them will now consider it as a career option."