MEDICS from Blackburn were prescribed a dose of fun by the Territorial Army when they took part in a hospital challenge.

Physiotherapists, dental officers and pharmacists were amongst civilian staff who competed against 15 other teams from around the region in the North West Hospital Challenge 2002.

Arlene Dearden, a personal secretary from Blackburn, William Sharples, a sterilisation and decontamination unit technician from Lower Darwen, and David Kirkham, an assistant site manager from Blackburn were among the local medics who competed for the Blackburn and Preston team.

They won the Marksmanship competition, and the team from Manchester won the overall Challenge.

The event was organised by 207 and 208 Field Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps based in Manchester and Liverpool, and was designed to give health care workers and their employers an insight into Army life.

Col John Wignall, Commanding Officer of 208 Field Hospital, said: "The Challenge has given us the opportunity to show medical staff what the TA can offer and how it can benefit their employees in the workplace."

The teams were tested on physical stamina, mental agility and marksmanship.

They also learned how to build a fire, brew a cup of tea in the field and cook items from a military ration pack.

Col Wignall added: "We need trained medical staff, especially doctors, nurses and professions allied to medicine, who can bring their skills into the TA."