This Morning's resident health expert – who went to St Aidan's School in Sunderland – was at the City Library and Arts Centre in Fawcett Street yesterday to back a skills promotion drive by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

Skills Account is a new project being piloted in the region to help anyone over 19 identify the job they want and receive training and funding to help get it.

LSC North East is targeting people who have been out of work for five years or more after caring for a family member.

Dr Steele said: "This is aimed at those people who have maybe come to the end of their caring role, to help them get back into work.

"I'm a firm believer that everyone has a skill in them and Skills Account can help them develop it," he said.

Anyone on Wearside can open a Skills Account by calling Sunderland City Council's Family Adult and Community Learning Department on 561 2620.