A CHARITY that provides support to victims of torture is to renew efforts to open a centre in the North-East.

Last summer, the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture announced that it hoped to open a centre providing medical, psychological and practical support to victims as soon as possible.

But nearly ten months later, the charity is still looking to recruit a manager and find premises in the region.

It is hoped that the trust's clinical director, who will be in the region next week to deliver a public lecture at Newcastle University, will highlight the vital role of the charity's humanitarian work.

Last night, Emma Williams, the foundation's regional development co-ordinator, said: "We are advertising the post nationally in the next few days. The idea is that the manager will find premises, probably in Newcastle and recruit a project administrator."

Ms Williams said it was hoped that the North-East centre would open in late summer this year.

"The post would suit a mental health health professional, possibly a psychologist, a counsellor or a community psychiatric nurse. We would like them to have had some experience of working with survivors of torture."

The foundation has been active in the region for more than four years, helping to set up and train a network of more than 90 workers who offer support to asylum seekers that have been tortured.

The group includes doctors, lawyers, community workers, counsellors and psychologists.

Once the new centre is established the aim is to help victims of torture and train doctors and other health professionals to meet the special needs of those who have experienced or witnessed torture and survived.

The arrival of more than 7,000 asylum seekers in the North-East in recent years as part of a national policy of dispersal has put pressure on existing services.

While regional offices exist in Manchester and Glasgow, the London-based foundation feels that it needs to have a presence in the North-East.

Next week, Alex Sklan, clinical director of the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture will lecture at Newcastle University on the subject of "Picking up the pieces - working with survivors of torture".

The free public lecture tomorrow begins at 5.30pm at the Curtis Auditorium, Herschel Building, Newcastle University.

For more information about the work of the Medical Foundation, ring 0207 697 7777 or visit www.torturecare.org.uk