A TOTAL of 18 doctors from India will be joining the workforce at hospitals in East Lancashire during 2017, it has been confirmed.

The first candidates, following a East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust recruitment campaign, are already in post.

And trust human resources director Kevin Moynes told board members a further half dozen will begin work in the near future.

Two specialist doctors will begin their employment with the organisation in July, August and September.

Seven more Filipino nurses are expected to start with the trust, after a separate employment initiative there last year.

Another five are still tackling English exams and would be offered 'extensive support' to help them to pass, according to Mr Moynes.

Ongoing work is still being undertaken to entice extra emergency department staff to East Lancashire.