A NORTH-EAST police force is in the running for an award for helping people with disabilities develop skills.

Northumbria Police is one of six organisations from the region which has made it to the northern finals of this year's Remploy Leading the Way awards.

The finalists were nominated for showing commitment to the employment and development of disabled people.

There are three disabled staff working at Newcastle East Area Command as security camera operators and a range of measures have been introduced to enable them to carry out their jobs.

One of the camera operators uses a large electric wheelchair and modifications such as automatic doors, access ramps, tactile paving and a disabled toilet have been installed.

Other improvements include special back supports on chairs and the fitting of an electronic hoist to allow one of the staff to store his wheelchair on the roof of his car.

Northumbria Police is nominated in the medium-sized companies category.

Regional winners will go forward to the national awards ceremony in London in October.