The first of a new wave of Spanish GPs arrive in the region on Monday as part of an NHS recruitment drive.

The influx of foreign GPs follows a high-level agreement between the British and Spanish Governments to boost the NHS medical workforce.

It follows a recruitment trip to Spain by a team from County Durham and Darlington Health Authority which led to a visit by 13 Spanish GPs at the end of April.

GP shortages are acute in the North-East, with particular blackspots on Teesside and Wearside.

Dr Jose Miralles, a Spanish GP who came to work in County Durham more than 13 years ago and who has been involved in the recruitment process, said: "I have spoken to the six GPs recently and they are all very enthusiastic about starting work next week."

The six family doctors flying in from Spain will join practices across County Durham after a 12 week induction period.

During this introductory period each GP will have two days per week of intensive linguistic training, two days per week working in a specialist training practice and one day a week for personal development.

After they join their practice, contact and support will continue to be available for another three months.

*Dr Wassim Abdel Khalek will work at The Surgery, Spennymoor. *Dr Maria Teresa Casasin Fernandez will work in nursing homes for the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust.

*Dr Oriol Armengol Badia will work at the William Brown Centre, Peterlee.

*Dr Pablo Llontop Garcia will work at the Consett Medical Centre

. *Drs Sandra Martin and Maria Jose Juan Valero will work for Dr Yule & Partners, Langley Park and part-time for Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust.

In August a seventh Spanish doctor will join a Darlington practice and in September two more Spanish GPs will take up posts in the Durham Dales area and in Easington.