WORK on Nelson's flagship £6.3m health centre began yesterday as construction workers arrived on-site.

The landmark centre, at Yarnspinners Wharf, is expected to take more than a year to complete and the work will involve converting and extending a warehouse to create a modern building reflecting the town's history.

People visiting the new centre will be able to access practices from the Leeds Road centre, dentistry, a pharmacy and other medical services.

The project is being carried out by the East Lancashire Building Partnership Ltd on behalf of the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust (PCT).

Pendle Partnership has agreed to contribute £723,604 in grant aid, in the hope that the centre will aid the regeneration of the town.

PCT chairman David Peat said: "It sees the start of a brand-new modern health centre for the people of Pendle.

"It will offer the PCT an opportunity to provide a modern community care service and facilities suitable for the 21st Century.

"It will allow us the opportunity to tackle more easily the problems of cancer, coronary heart disease and mental health which have been prevalent in Nelson for far too long."

Pendle Partnership chairman Dennis Mendoros OBE, added: "The Health Centre will be a flagship project. It will make a big difference to the quality of health services in Nelson and should have a positive impact on improving local people's health.

"By using Partnership funding to build a first-rate health centre rather than a bog-standard one we will make it a focal point for community regeneration."