A STAFF support network promoting diversity and equality has been established by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

The DivNet initiative aims to show staff that help and support is available to them both at work and in their personal lives.

The group meets on a monthly basis to discuss any issues either relating to themselves as members of staff, or issues relating to patients. It is funded by a £2,000 Department of Health grant and will be promoted at an event in the Function room at Queens Park Hospital, Blackburn, on Thursday, from 11am until 3pm.

A variety of organisations, which are set up to help staff in their work or family lives, will attend with information stalls.

A spokesman for the trust said: "The Trust is trying to recruit and retain a workforce which, year by year, more closely resembles the makeup of the population in East Lancashire.

"In other words, the Trust welcomes employees from a wide variety of backgrounds including from black and minority ethnic communities, people with disabilities and from wide age ranges and sexual orientations.