TELEVISION agony aunt Denise Robertson is to launch an osteoporosis day in the North-East next month.

The star of This Morning will be at the Council Chambers in County Hall, Durham, at 1pm on Saturday, June 11 to launch the free event organised by the Durham National Osteoporosis Society (NOS) Support Group.

The day has been organised to highlight issues surrounding the disease, and a range of local experts will be attend, including Dr Alexis Chuck, consultant rheumatologist at University Hospital North Durham and Anne Sutcliffe, ward sister at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital.

According to research, half of women and one in five men over the age of 50 can be expected to break a bone during their lifetime due to osteoporosis.

Joan Stephinson, secretary of the Durham NOS Support Group said: "With the news that more people are being diagnosed with osteoporosis, we are hoping many will come to our event to learn more about the condition.

"All are welcome to the day, from those diagnosed with the condition and their families, to those who want to know more."

* The Durham NOS Support Group meets in the Common Room of the University Hospital of North Durham's education centre on the third Tuesday of each month from 7.30pm to 9pm.