Territorial Army volunteers went on a mission with a difference to Macclesfield hospital.

Members of the 207 Field hospital in Manchester visited Macclesfield district general on a recruitment and training exercise.

The 207 is one of 11 TA Field Hospitals whose role is to provide medical support to British Forces serving overseas.

They ran the British military hospital in Iraq in 2004 and many of its members have also served in Afghanistan.

The aim of their trip to Macclesfield was to recruit crucial clinical staff, such as A&E doctors and nurses, Intensive care staff, experienced ward nurses and other health care professionals, such as pharmacists.

Captain Kevin Thornley from the Field Hospital said: “Without the support of the East Cheshire NHS Trust our mission to provide staff for the Army Medical Services hospital would be very difficult.

“In exchange for offering their clinical skills to help save the lives of injured British soldiers NHS staff become part of an organisation that enhances leadership skills, improves personal fitness, provides adventure training and offers a good social life, it also pays individuals for doing it.

“With the support of a very positive Macclesfield District General Hospital Communications Team the week has been a great success, feedback has been encouraging with serious enquiries from several staff.’

John Wilbraham, Chief Executive at East Cheshire NHS Trust said: “We are extremely proud to have a number of our staff, including A&E medics and nurses from across our hospitals, who have already been out to Afghanistan to provide care for our soldiers.

“They all do a tremendous and invaluable job under very different and challenging conditions supporting our servicemen and women.

“The expertise and experience they bring back is also helping us to develop the services we provide to patients here at Macclesfield District General Hospital.”