TWO specialist nurses have been recognised at national level for their work in identifying people at risk of osteoporosis.

Christine Scollen, specialist nurse for osteoporosis prevention for Sedgefield Primary Care Trust, and Sheila Ruddick, osteoporosis nurse at Durham Dales Primary Care Trust, were selected as regional finalists in the Health and Social Care Awards 2005.

The awards are a national NHS scheme and the ceremony was held in Manchester.

The nurses were praised for their project aimed at spotting people at risk of the osteoporosis, which makes bones fragile and liable to break.

Ms Scollen said: "We are really pleased that this project has achieved national recognition and brought the spotlight to Sedgefield and Durham Dales."

Ms Ruddick said: "Local people told us that they would like to see better access to osteoporosis screening and bone density testing and would prefer not to travel to hospitals many miles away. This project almost brings the technology to their doorstep."

Risk factors for osteoporosis include having a broken bone after a minor fall, women going through the menopause before 45, long-term use of steroid tablets and having a mother who has osteoporosis.