PARKING, access and visual impact were all high on the public's agenda when they quizzed architects about Bacup's multi-million pound state-of-the-art health centre.

The proposals for the Rochdale Road super-centre were officially unveiled to residents at a meeting held at Bacup's Health Centre.

Nelson, Bacup and Darwen will be the first areas to benefit from the LIFT project, private/public sector link-up between developers and health trusts across the area.

Health chiefs chose Bamber Bridge-based developers Eric Wright Group as their partner and £65million will be invested in the next five to seven years in transforming and building new health centres.

Architect Graham Thew, of Derek Hicks Thew, of Liverpool, was on hand to answer residents' questions and show off the designs to the public for the first time.

Mike Collier, director of the Eric Wright Group, said: "We are still in the consultation process at the moment.

"The purpose of this meeting was to seek the public's opinion so we can iron-out any concerns and make the necessary changes where need be."

The five-floor centre will house three GP practices, a dental suite, pharmacy, complimentary medicine, physio and midwifery as just some of some of the services that will be on offer.

Residents were concerned about disabled access to toilets and upper floors as well as parking issues and the brickwork that will be used for the building.

One Bacup resident said: "I am disabled and would like to know if the toilets and the upper floors of the building will be fully accessible to disabled users."

Mr Thew said: "There will be disabled access to all the toilets and two lifts, which will be big enough to carry stretchers.

He added: "It is going to be a steel frame building because we need to make sure it the building is strong because the River Irwell runs under it. We will also look at using stone rather than re-constituted stone to help the building fit in with its surroundings.

"The place will be buzzing and really will be a nice place to be."

Other residents were concerned about vandalism. One said: "Following the recent events at Bacup carnival, when windows were smashed, I think it would be wise if shatter-proof glass was considered."

Mr Collier added: "We are only based down the M65 but that doesn't mean we want to have to keep coming back every few weeks to replace windows, so that is one option we will consider."