BRITAIN'S top doctor was in the region yesterday to open a medical training centre.

Government chief medical officer Professor Sir Liam Donaldson visited the education and training centre at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

More medical students than ever will carry out postgraduate work on Wearside as part of Government plans to increase doctors working in the NHS.

Sir Liam said: "This is one of the most exciting times in medical education for half a century.

"More medical school places, coupled with innovative new methods of teaching, are making a career in medicine more popular and increasingly more accessible."

During his visit, he met City Hospitals Sunderland chairman David Graham and Professor Chris Gray, clinical sub dean at Newcastle University medical school.

The centre, one of the most advanced in the region, contains a library, lecture theatre and television links for training.