WORLD travellers can avoid the dangers of a host of tropical diseases, thanks to the efforts of a village doctor.

Dr Ian Bagshaw has just gained a diploma in travel medicine after studying for the past year through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow.

He is now qualified to advise patients before they embark on their travels.

"I will be able to offer a comprehensive risk analysis for patients' needs in all travel circumstances," said Dr Bagshaw, who travelled the world as an Army medic before going into general practice at Rockcliffe Court, Hurworth.

"The most interesting thing is the extremes people go to on holiday nowadays to get a thrill.

"People are no longer content with just sitting on a local beach - they want to go to the base camp of Everest.

"A lot of students want to take a gap year to travel the world getting to some very out of the way places and some interesting medical scenarios, anything from malaria to rabies.