THE main entrance at Queens Park Hospital, Blackburn, has been closed as part of a £100million revamp.

The entrance is to be refurbished to create part of a new rehabilitation unit for 2006 and a new main entrance with retail facilities is to be created.

Until then, a temporary main entrance has been established at the other side of the building.

Entrance to the site, off Haslingden Road, will remain the same for vehicles but signs have been put in place to direct drivers to a new parking area.

This new area has almost 500 parking spaces close to the temporary entrance.

Large yellow signs are also in place to redirect pedestrians to the new entrance.

And new provision has also been made for disabled parking and drop off points close to the temporary entrance.

Jackie Hadwen, who heads the project, said: "This will undoubtedly cause some confusion until people get used to the change but we are ensuring there are plenty of staff around to help people."

She said outpatients had been sent letters with information on the changes and that other measures including changes to maps and prominent signs had been made .

Mike Hall, head of facilities, said: "The hospital reception, general office and shop have all moved to the temporary main entrance and are open for business as usual.

"I would ask that people are patient with us and we will do our best to try and help things go as smoothly as possible.

"Whilst the temporary main entrance is not an ideal facility it is only for two years and when we get our brand new main entrance in 2006 I am sure it will be fantastic."