A recruitment drive is being launched to fill vital vacancies at two North-East hospitals.

South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs units in Middlesbrough and at Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was recently praised by the Healthcare Commission, which was impressed by the level of commitment and quality of care offered by staff.

Fully qualified nurses and midwives, along with nursing students who qualify within the next year, are being invited to attend an event in the Cleveland Room, Education Centre, The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, from 1pm to 5pm on Wednesday, April 28.

Staff from wards and departments at the trust's hospitals will be on hand to give help, advice and information to student nurses qualifying next year on current and future career opportunities at the trust, as well as providing an insight into the variety of specialities they can consider working in.

The trust also hopes to attract qualified staff looking for a new challenge, new job or change of career or perhaps a return to working in the NHS.

Recruitment and retention co-ordinator Andy Baker said: "We are really excited about this event and would encourage anyone interested to come along and find out more.

"It is the ideal opportunity for us to chat to people and to recruit both experienced nurses and encourage newly-qualified ones to join us at the start of their career.

"We can also talk on a one-to- one basis with local people about our recruitment needs, as well as finding out what they are looking for in a job or career."

For more details, contact Mr Baker on (01642) 854610.