A group of A-Level students have been given a knock-out tour of Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital to mark National Anaesthesia Day.

Dr Russell Evans demonstrates his work

The 52 science students were taken round the site by consultant anaesthetist Dr Russell Evans, to show them what his work entailed.

The Royal College of Anaesthetists runs the annual awareness day.

This year the campaign was targeted at sixth-formers, after a Mori Poll showed the age group knew little about their work.

Dr Evans said few people realised how important anaesthetists were, even though 90 per cent of hospital departments called on their services.

As well as anaesthetising people for operations, they play a key part in pain clinics and intensive care.

Dr Evans said: "A lot of people think we are in the background, but nothing is going to get done without us.

"We are the largest group of hospital doctors in our own right.

He added: "We have all gone through medical school and want to try to increase these students' knowledge of our work."

As well as raising awareness, Dr Evans said inviting the students into the hospital could help enlist future recruits.

He said: "There are more anaesthetist posts being advertised than there are anaesthetists finishing training."