A national charity is running a patient education drive in the region after a survey showed that the North-East is a diabetes blackspot.

Last month a survey by Experion suggested that the North-East probably has more hospital admissions for Type 2 diabetes than anywhere else in the country.

South Tyneside (4th) Easington (5th), Middlesbrough (10th, Hartlepool (12th) and Sunderland (16th) all featured in the worst 20 places in England.

Type 2 diabetes used to be known as late-onset diabetes but is increasingly appearing in obese children.

A spokeswoman for the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation, said: "Diabetes is threatening to become a national epidemic and the North-East is set to be hit hardest of all. The region is now considered to have the worst health record in the country."

To try to assist people living with diabetes in the region the foundation has organised a self-help weekend in Durham City on April 24-25.

James Rogers, executive director of the foundation said: "The weekend offers an important opportunity to people living with diabetes in the North East. With diabetes putting people at risk of complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and limb amputation, improving personal control of the condition is of paramount importance to the charity.

The "Wellness Weekend" is an informal, two-day event that is intended to provide people with an opportunity to find out more about the condition and the best way to manage it.

Health professionals specialising in different apsects of diabetes care will be available to offer advice and to answer questions.

A daily programme will feature talks by professions, group discussions and supervised exercise sessions.

A range of diabetes products will also be on display.

Mr Rogers added: "I think the country has now woken up to the fact that far from being 'mild,' diabetes is a very serious condition. But, with the right know-how, improvements to diabetes control can reduce the risk of complications."

Attendance at Collingwood College, Durham, costs £25 per day, including all the sessions, lunch and refreshments. For more information on 023 9263 7808, email drwf@diabeteswellnessnet.org.uk or write to: Events Organiser, Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation, Office 101-102, Northney Marina , Hayling Island, PO11 0NH