A CAMPAIGN has been launched to encourage the people of North Tees to become involved with the running of their local hospitals.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust is targeting people living in Sedgefield, Stockton, Hartlepool and east Durham.

Its aim is to encourage them to become involved before NHS managers apply to become one of the first NHS Foundation Trusts being introduced by the Government.

The new-style trusts are inspired by the Co-operative movement and will be owned by local people rather than run by central government.

They will be able to borrow money and tailor services for local needs.

To provide more information, health trust staff will operate a display at Stockton Market on Wednesday, at Thornaby Market, on Thursday, and at Billingham Market on Monday, September 15.

The trust runs the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton, the University Hospital of Hartlepool and Peterlee Community Hospital.

For more information about the proposed changes, log on to the trust's website on www.northteesandhartlepool.nhs.uk