A Norwich plastic surgeon will be hosting a web chat and question and answer session to help women affected by the PIP breast implant scandal.

Elaine Sassoon, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon, has teamed up with the Evening News and its sister paper the Eastern Daily Press to host the discussion from midday to 1pm on Friday.

Miss Sassoon is council member of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (Bapras) and has been chairman of its breast subcommittee for the past seven years.

She said: 'I'm being kept informed of the very latest developments by the association and I thought it would be a good idea to answer any questions women may have because they are very worried.'

Miss Sassoon will be able to give her opinions on the types and brands of different replacement implants, as well as advice on choosing a surgeon and undergoing surgery.

French firm Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) went out of business in 2010 after an official probe revealed it was using a cheaper unapproved industrial-grade silicone in some products.

More than 40,000 PIP implants were sold in the UK.

The scandal has prompted a review of whether tighter regulation of the cosmetic surgery industry is needed and a review into the safety and quality of private clinics offering cosmetic surgery in Britain.

It has also raised questions over the qualifications of cosmetic surgeons, an issue that Miss Sassoon can also discuss in the online forum.

Miss Sassoon contacted the Evening News to offer to host a free question and answer session after reading about Norwich mother Debbie Chettleburgh, who had PIP implants which both ruptured.

The 39-year-old, from Thorpe St Andrew, paid �4,300 to have the implants removed and replaced but told how, given her previous experience, she was still understandably worried.

She said: 'I think now, have I been given the correct information again from my new surgeon?'

The web chat will be from midday to 1pm on Friday at www.eveningnews24.co.uk.

Have you got a health story for the Evening News? Contact Kim Briscoe on 01603 772419 or email kim.briscoe@archant.co.uk