IF YOU have an interest in medical research and people in your community vacancies have arisen on Cheshire's three local research ethics committees.

The committees are based in Crewe for the Vale Royal and Crewe and Nantwich boroughs and Macclesfield for the Congleton and Macclesfield boroughs.

The aim of the committees is to make sure that medical research on NHS patients is conducted in an ethical manner.

Vacancies have come up on the committees as lay members and candidates should have the confidence to contribute their views as a non-medical person.

Doctors, nurses and other members of the social care professions will also attend the meetings.

Knowledge of the NHS would be useful but is not essential and training would be provided.

An NHS spokesperson said: "At least one third of members on local research ethics committees have to be lay members and the NHS goes to great lengths to make sure that people outside the NHS are recruited so that the interests of patients are defended and safeguarded in a completely impartial way."

The committees meet once every six weeks and you will not be paid for attending but travelling expenses will be reimbursed.

If you are interested apply in writing to Ms Susan Thompson, Research Ethics Support Manager, South Cheshire Health Authority, 1829 Building, The Countess of Chester Health Park, Liverpool Road, Chester, CH1 4BJ.