HEALTH professionals from around the world will descend on the region today to share the latest techniques in providing crucial care for newborn premature babies.

South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust will host its annual neonatal conference at the University of Durham's Queen's Campus in Stockton.

The two-day event has attracted thousands of people during its 11-year history and this year is no exception with guest speakers from the US, Australia, Germany and India.

Conference director Sunil Sinha, professor of paediat-rics and neonatology at The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, said: "This conference is regarded as a key event on the international calendar, which is excellent for us as it not only puts the hospital on the map but also Teesside.

"In the past ten years or so, there have been phenomenal changes in the way we look after premature babies and major advances have been made in helping to reduce the long-term complications these children can develop.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for experts in their field to get-together, share their thoughts and ideas and discuss the latest techniques and research into caring for new-borns."

Every year, 95 students start the first two years of their medical training at the University of Durham, which integrates the university and health care professionals.