A NEW-look hospital's change of name has received official approval.

Lord Crathorne, the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, backs the decision to change the name of the expanding South Cleveland Hospital, Middlesbrough, to the James Cook University Hospital.

A great fan of the 18th Century explorer, Lord Crathorne said: "This change of name is entirely appropriate, bearing in mind Cook kept his crews healthier than any leader of an expedition had previously been able to manage, and his first circumnavigation of the globe was also the world's first, truly scientific expedition."

In recent years, South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust has been working hard to develop strong links with the region's universities and medical schools.

A new academic division was created last year to integrate teaching and lifelong learning for staff, as well as increase the amount of research and development carried out on site