AWARD-WINNER Tracy Sedgwick is to swap Darlington for the bright lights of Las Vegas.

The senior intermediate care technician was first in a national competition and will now get to present her work in London and in the US.

As the AAH Hospital Service's technician of the year, she will attend a pharmacy seminar in London in October before attending a convention in Las Vegas in December.

Miss Sedgwick is employed by Darlington Primary Care Trust and Darlington Memorial Hospital.

She is thought to be the only technician in the country working for an acute trust performing a role normally carried out by a pharmacist.

She works in the hospital, social services and nursing homes ensuring people have the right medicines as they recover from illness.

"I'm really excited about the trip," she said.