AN ANTI-bullying project and men's health promotion will be just two of the services on offer at a new health centre which will open in Burnley next week.

The former Howard Street Nursery has been altered to form a centre providing dental care, walk-in consultations with a nurse, health group sessions for groups such as the over-55s and men, and other counselling sessions.

The scheme has been funded by the council's Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, which is contributing £322,000 and the NHS which has put in £105,000 for the next 12 months.

Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust, which will run the centre, is hoping these two contributors will continue to fund the centre's running costs of £100,000 a year.

The health centre will work with other initiatives such as the Elm Tree Family Support Service rather than developing facilities from scratch.

A spokesman for the PCT said: "We have been impressed with the range and quality of initiatives in the area.

"We want to work with them and give a health focus that addresses the health problems experienced by people in south west Burnley."

The health centre was planned after a 'citizens' jury' was assembled to discuss local health and social care issues relating to south-west Burnley in June 2002.

Tim Mansfield head of the Primary Care Trust's multi-agency service department explained: "The need for it came out of the citizens' jury then we needed to look at what was available in the area."

A health fair will be held at the centre from 2pm to 6pm on June 13 to mark the opening. Clarets legend Jimmy McIlroy will offically unveil the centre. Burnley MP Peter Pike and Mayor, Coun Lillian Clark have also been invited.