People fluent in various languages are being sought by Bradford's hospitals after the need for interpreters doubled in a year.

Requests jumped from 3,165 in the financial year 2001/2002 to 6,036 last year.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust already employs 12 part-time interpreters, mainly specialising in Asian languages, but is looking to recruit more, especially those speaking less common languages.

Speakers of African language Lingala, Persian language Farsi, Lithuanian and Somali are among those needed.

Hospital trust staff want to create a "bank" of interpreters who can work as and when needed at Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke's Hospital.

Due to the increase in demand, they have had to turn to outside agencies.

Dilshad Khan, the trust's director of equality, said they wanted to make sure their services were accessible to everyone.

"We recognise that communication is a barrier for many service users, whether it is due to language or disability.

"Having an interpreter on the spot can put people at their ease.

"The inability of patients to communicate effectively compromises the service they receive."

He said interpreters also helped staff to overcome possible cultural differences. "A woman once requested an interpreter who spoke Lingala, an African language which took some tracking down, although it would be fair to say we've had requests for literally dozens of languages," he said.

People interested in joining the interpreters' bank can go to an open evening at Recreation Hall, Field House, Bradford Royal Infirmary, at 6.30pm on Wednes-day to find out more.

Alternatively, contact Lorna Burgess on (01274) 382411 or e-mail her at lorna.burgess@brad ford.-hospitals.nhs.uk.

No formal qualifications are needed for the posts but applicants must speak excellent English and be fluent in the foreign language.

Applicants will be interviewed by hospital trust chiefs and their language skills assessed.

Most of the work is between 8.30am and 5pm.