STAFFORDSHIRE'S biggest hospital has scooped a £375,000 grant to find ways to better protect the brain from a stroke.

Researchers at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire will use the cash to see if blood clots can be removed more quickly from patients in an attempt to lower the risk of life-long disability.

The hospital, which already has among the best stroke survival rates in the country, is one of only eight centres supported by grants from the National Institute for Health Research.

Dr Christine Roffe, consultant stroke physician, said: "The first few hours after a person has suffered a stroke are the most critical.

"We are looking at new ways to protect the brain in that time and remove clots to give patients the best chance of survival."

The grant is the latest boost to the hospital's Guy Hilton Research Centre, which is developing a growing national reputation for its work.

It will be spent on employing staff, ranging from consultants to research nurses, and bringing together specialities such as emergency medicine, imaging, stroke and neuro-surgery.

Dr Darren Clement, the centre's research and development manager, said: "This research will ultimately help our future patients.

"People from across North Staffordshire will directly benefit as the money will be used to find out how we can improve stroke treatments over the next three years."

Professor Gordon Ferns, director of research at UHNS said: "We are working very closely with Keele University and other healthcare and academic organisations to give the people of North Staffordshire the care they deserve."