PEOPLE who volunteer to help in hospitals will have their contribution recognised at a national conference held in Blackpool this month.

The National Volunteers Conference, hosted by Blackpool Victoria Hospital, will attract more than 100 volunteers from across the country. It aims to bring NHS volunteers together and celebrate the work they do.

Around 500 volunteers give up their time to help with the running of the Vic. They come from a variety of groups including the League of Friends, WRVS, Red Cross, Chaplains, League of Jewish Women, Share and Care, Welcomers and the Hospital Library Service.

This year's conference -- the third annual event that the Vic has hosted -- will also mark the International Year of the Volunteer.

Guest speakers at the conference, which will be held at the Tiffany Hotel on North Promenade from tomorrow (Friday) until Sunday, will include former champion boxer Brian London, paramedics Wayne Pemberton and Philip Watson, who will talk about a day in their life, and NW Regional Health Authority representative John Badham who will speak on "The New NHS".