THE Government's director for health and work is to address employers in the region.

Professor Dame Carol Black will speak at a conference organised by manufacturers' group EEF Northern to help cut down on workplace absence levels.

An EEF survey showed that the North-East has one of the UK's worst levels of absence, and indicated that the Government has a role to play in reducing the statistic.

Joanne Holborn, head of legal at EEF Northern, said "If we improve employee and workplace health, businesses will see significant improvements with their bottom line, productivity and employee relations".

Prof Black is part of the Government's Health, Work and Well-being Strategy to improve employee health.

The Fit for Life, Fit for Work, Fit for the Future conference is on September 26 at Durham County Cricket Club, Chester-le-Street.