CASH-SQUEEZED hospitals were charging schoolchildren for medicals before they start unpaid work with the NHS. Pupils who volunteered for work experience were billed £5 each for certificates.

Blackburn MP Jack Straw and a head teachers' leader slammed the fees and urged parents not to pay.

They were backed by Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Authority member Jim McKinstry, who was calling for their abolition.

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