THE future of Darwen Health Centre will be revealed soon - June 11 is the crunch day for three companies competing to become the NHS's private partner to build health centres across the county.

Jarvis Health Care, Galliford Try and the Eric Wright Group will learn of the decision prior to the announcement at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, at which point a general blueprint of the new health centre will become apparent.

Primary Care Trust bosses have continued to allay fears of residents who object to the new centre's location on a hill behind Darwen Leisure Centre. NHS chiefs say more promises regarding transport to and from the site could be given when rough plans have been drawn up and a private partner selected for the £11 million centre. MP Janet Anderson said: "We should look forward to the new health centre because it will bring more balance to the town and mean more people can stay in Darwen instead of travelling to Blackburn for services."