A PLASTERER at Wycombe Hospital has won an award for developing a ground-breaking removable cast to aid diabetics suffering from foot ulcers.

Sam Brown, 31, received the Diana Moran Award during a conference at the hospital in Queen Alexandra Road, after he designed a removable cast with velcro that patients can take off when going to bed to make their lives more comfortable.

Sufferers of diabetes can often lose feeling in their feet and develop painful ulcers.

The casts, made by the Diabetic Foot Clinic Team, are vital to the healing process.

Peter Rosseter, 55, who runs a newsagents in Downley, is one of Mrs Brown's regular patients.

He said: "Without the casts, I'm sure I would have had to have my foot amputated."

Mrs Brown, who has worked with the Wycombe Primary Care Trust for 13 years, said: "It was a real honour to receive this award. Diabetic foot problems are a growing part of our work and it is something I have a real interest and passion for."

The conference was held in memory of Diana Moran, a podiatrist who died of cancer in September last year.