Thanks to the vaccine volunteers

Over 1,400 people in Sunderland have been thanked for volunteering to take part in coronavirus vaccine studies.

As the national vaccination programme gets under way, health chiefs have paid tribute to those who stepped up to help scientists develop the life-saving jabs.

NHS Digital data shows 1,455 people from Sunderland had volunteered to take part in coronavirus vaccine studies as of Thursday, January 7.

Of those, the largest proportion (43%) were aged between 40 and 59, while 29% were aged 18 to 39.

Across the North East, 16,200 people had signed up – part of a 379,000-strong national army of volunteers.

People can still put themselves forward to take part in clinical trials.