YOUNG people will be encouraged and supported to train as doctors as part of a drive to get more youngsters into the profession.

Dubbed the 'Inclusivity Project', it will see East Lancashire Hospitals Trust (ELHT)work with schools and colleges to encourage young people into the profession.

It comes as health chiefs said that young people have been put off applying to medical school for reasons including finances and the challenges of living away from home, with many students dropping out of studying.

The project came out of a workshop session led by Professor Damien Lynch at the Annual ELHT and UCLan Medical Education Conference at Ewood Park in June this year.

Prof Lynch said: “This project is a package that will provide an insight to being a medical student as well as a career in medicine and support students to fulfil the requirements of the application process to medical school. It will also teach students the life skills they need to live independently before starting university and provide support to students in their early years at medical school. This can be anything from cooking a simple meal to setting the washing machine or budgeting."

He added: "It is hoped that by giving these skills we can encourage more people to enrol and complete their training as medical students.”