A NORTH-EAST team which uses acupuncture to ease distressing symptoms has been named runner-up in a national award.

Each year, the Prince of Wales Foundation of Integrated Medicine scours the country to find the best complementary health team.

This year, the team from the Holistic Cancer Care Centre, at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, was shortlisted for an award.

Members of the team travelled to Bristol to receive their prize and the congratulations of Prince Charles.

Unusually, the James Cook hospital team concentrates on patients' ears.

Using a technique known as auriculur acupuncture, therapists insert ten tiny needles at specific points in the ears to help with such symptoms as hot sweats, anxiety, stress and sleep disturbance.

The technique has proved particularly helpful for patients who have had cancer treatment and for women with distressing menopausal symptoms.

Centre manager Sue Stephenson said: "This is an invaluable service for our patients and, while I am disappointed we didn't win, I am still thrilled the team was selected as runners-up."

The joint winners were a health project providing affordable complementary therapies in Bristol, and a team of midwives in Nuneaton, who have created a childbirth service that combines complementary and more orthodox approaches.

The Middlesbrough team includes lead practitioner Andrea Harris, aromatherapist Kathryn Almond and volunteer Patricia Taylor.