Tony Blair and Alan Milburn's constituencies are still facing a shortage of GPs, figures released by the Government show.

The Department of Health reveal Darlington and Sedgefield are among the areas of the country facing a crisis in doctors - or are "underdoctored" to use their jargon.

Last year, Spanish GPs were brought in to boost a region that has suffered from shortages since the start of the NHS.

Other primary care trust areas hit in the North-East are Middlesbrough, Langbaurgh, North Tees, Hartlepool, Derwentside and Easington.

The figures were released in an answer to a Parliamentary Question tabled by the Liberal Democrats health spokeswoman, Patsy Calton.

She said they reveal a North-South divide in GP provision, with the majority of trusts with problems in the North.

She said: ''In the long-run, general practice must be made a more attractive profession.''

Head of primary care for the County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority, Dr Ian Ruffett, said the area was about 30 GPs down.

''We are trying to keep pace with demand but we are suffering from what is a national problem of a shortage of GPs."

Part of the problem was the demands placed on GPs in poorer parts of the country and attracting them there in the first place.

"Some of the more challenging areas are not necessarily those that are the best for bringing up families."

A spokesman for the Department of Health said there are more GPs in the NHS than ever before, with a 40 per cent increase in trainee numbers in the past four years.

The department, however, recognised problems and has brought in so-called "golden hellos" to entice young doctors into the field, flexible careers, child care and packages to delay retirements.