THE surgery where killer doctor Harold Shipman launched his career is up for sale.

Britain's most prolific serial killer began working at the Abraham Ormerod Health Centre, Todmorden, and went on to murder at least 215 of his patients over his 23-year career.

The building, owned by Calderdale Primary Care Trust, was closed three years ago despite a fierce campaign to keep it open. More than 2,000 people signed a petition by the Friends of Abraham Ormerod Centre to keep the building open and rent it to community groups, but the scheme failed when the health authority imposed a restrictive lease on the building.

The centre was put on the market earlier this month.

Following phase one of the public inquiry in Manchester last year into Harold Shipman's crimes, a report confirmed his place as Britain's most prolific serial killer.

In addition to the 215 people who died when they were injected with diamorphine by the GP, there was suspicion he claimed the lives of 45 others.

He spent the early part of his career as a GP in Todmorden in 1974 before moving to Hyde in Greater Manchester.

Deputy Mayor of Calderdale and Todmorden Councillor Olwen Jennings, was involved in the fight to save the centre.

She said: "It's very sad it is going to be sold off. We tried very hard to keep it for some sort of community use, but were not able to do so as we really needed a long term lease and were only offered a short term one."

Shipman, 57, was convicted at Preston Crown Court in January 2000 of the murders of 15 of his mainly elderly women patients in Hyde.