More than half of all people who go to an Accident and Emergency department for treatment are examined by a diagnostic radiographer.

And as the A&E department at Bradford Royal Infirmary has the dubious pleasure of being the third busiest in the country, that means a lot of work.

But it is a challenge the 160 people who work in radiography at the hospital relish.

It gives them the opportunity to get involved with patients who have suffered major trauma, using the most cutting-edge equipment - including the Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner bought for £1million after the Telegraph and Argus' successful millennium scanner appeal.

All of which makes it easier to recruit and retain staff. So while there is an acute national shortage of both therapy and diagnostic radiographers, BRI currently has no vacancies in either.

Not that this makes it complacent. This week is Radiography Awareness Week and visitors to BRI's main reception and the imaging department at St Luke's Hospital in the city can't fail to notice the huge display extolling the virtues of a career in radiography.

A significant lack of awareness about radiography among teenagers, educators and careers advisors means staff are not being recruited in sufficient numbers.

Yet these are the very people who play a significant role in cancer therapy and the diagnosis and treatment of critical injuries and illnesses.

Joanne Dale, radiography services manager at BRI, said radiography was a profession, not just a job.

"It is a fulfilling career," she said. "There are increasing opportunities to specialise and move into a number of different areas.

"As a trust we have been pro-active to attract students. We have careers events and workplace initiatives.

"We feel that nursing is well publicised but some of the allied health professions, including radiography, are not as well known and we want to change that."