LANCASHIRE Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has launched a recruitment drive to encourage people in Chorley to become members of the organisation.

Bosses want folk to have a say in its running if it is successful in its bid to become one of the first Foundation Trusts.

If successful it could be established as a Foundation Trust from October and will need a membership made up of local people, patients and staff to elect representatives on a new Governing Council, responsible for making sure the views of the local community are taken into account.

Local people, anyone who has been a patient in the last three years and staff at the Trust, can become members.

Tony Curtis, Trust Chief Executive, said: "The key difference between NHS Foundation Trusts and existing NHS Trusts is that local people will have a real say in the delivery of services by becoming members and Governors."

Membership application forms and further details about becoming a member are available by calling free phone 0800 073 0663 or emailing foundation.trust@lthtr.nhs.uk