THREE physiotherapists from India have started their new jobs in the North-East.

Jais Matthews, Pradeep Nair and Santosh Ayiroo-kuzhi are working in the medical and respiratory wards at the University Hospital of North Durham and at Durham Community Hospital.

They have filled posts that have previously proved difficult to fill in acute and community settings for Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust (PCT).

Linda Temperley, director of primary and community services at Durham and Chester-le-Street PCT, said: "They will be providing services where we have had vacancies for a while which will enable us to extend our services to the patients of our area."