WORK has officially started on Darwen's new state-of-the art-health centre.

A 90-ton pile driver was on the site, on Police Street, for the first stages of the work which will see a £7.3million facility ready for summer 2005, if things go according to schedule.

The centre will have accommodation for 25 GPs, 14 practice nurses, and other health staff.

David Brunskill, director of corporate development for Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust, said : "The new centre will help recruit much needed GPs and primary health care staff to Darwen as well as provide improved facilities for patients.

"For example, there will be an extensive treatment suite, minor surgery facilities, physiotherapy services, provision for out patient services as well as dedicated space for specialist services such as audiology, speech and language therapists and orthoptists.

"The new centre also offers flexibility in how the space is used so that we will be able to provide different services as they become available in the future."

At the moment work is being done on the building's retaining wall, excavation of the main site, and a car park.

In March, structural steel work will be put in, with brickwork on the walls beginning in May.

Once the building is watertight, construction company, Eric Wright, will start work in June on internal touches.

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