LEADING Bolton surgeon Tony Banks, a former Bolton Wanderers health guru, has landed a top job.

The former North West weightlifting champion is now shouldering another heavy burden -- as his new responsibilities will mean making sure trainee doctors across Britain are not overworked.

Mr Banks, aged 56, pictured right, describes his new appointment as "a privilege" but assures his Bolton patients that it will not mean leaving the town.

The Edgworth doctor, who practises at the Royal Bolton Hospital, is well-known to thousands of people who have needed surgery to their legs, hips and joints.

Advise

Specialising in sports injury, Mr Banks stepped down from his duties at Bolton Wanderers last year, but still looks after players at Oldham FC and Preston North End.

He said: "I still look after some players who are facing retirement and I advise the club about whether a player should return to the competitive field."

Mr Banks will take up his new position as vice-chairman of the Royal College of Surgeons, leading the select advice committee for orthopaedic surgery, in January. This will lead him to become chairman in a four year slot at the top.

Mr Banks, a consultant in Bolton for the past 20 years, said: "These top jobs usually go to someone from a teaching hospital. It is very unusual for it to go to someone from a district hospital.

"I do see it as a privilege."

But one of his main duties will be to make sure hospitals are not overloading junior and trainee orthopaedic doctors.

Newly qualified hospital doctors starting their first jobs on hospital wards are reported to be facing excessive long hours of work because hospitals are failing to bring their practices in line with the new Working Time Directives.

Mr Banks, a competitive weightlifter who won the regional trophy in 1975, said: "I welcome the chance to become involved in making sure trainee doctors are not abused. I will be overseeing what is right and proper and my remit will be based on training issues nationwide.

"I will be heavily involved in the re-structure of doctors working hours nationally."