PATIENTS are flooding in to Britain's biggest walk-in health centre based in the heart of Blackpool town centre.

The former Natwest Bank building on Talbot Road opened its doors on Tuesday as an appointment-free centre for the public open until 10pm seven days a week for the treatment and diagnosis of a wide range of minor ailments.

Walk-in centre project manager Siobhan Owens said: "It's part of a national initiative for making health services more accessible to people -- and about making sure people are getting the level of care they need.

"We've had a very good response with 32 people visiting the centre on our first day and our 11 senior nurses were kept quite busy with a range of minor queries."

And the centre could get even bigger if the demand is there.

"It's a three-year pilot scheme," added Siobhan. "But the nature of Blackpool is that this service will be utilised heavily and we will evaluate the service as it develops and look at a way forward.

"It will be handy for shoppers and make a difference to many people who work in Blackpool but don't live in the town and find it difficult to fit a GP appointment in the middle of the day.

"People are used to shopping and banking at their convenience. Now they can have their health care to suit them too."

Government funding of £1million enabled the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Community Health Trust in partnership with Blackpool Primary Group to develop the health centre.

The team of 11 nurses will give advice on self care, reassure anyone with health worries and treat a range of minor ailments including flu-like symptoms, chest infections, stomach problems, headaches, skin and eye complaints, wounds and burns.

Security will be paramount with a video link intercom for access and security staff on site.

And major casualties will still be dealt with at Blackpool Victoria Hospital's A & E department.

"We have worked very closely with the hospital," said Siobhan. "And the nurses have taken induction groups with hospital staff and GPs."

Connect, the young people's health and information centre currently based on Church Street which provides counselling, support and contraceptive clinics for the under 25s, will move into the other half of the premises. But there will be no pharmacy on site.

The walk-in health centre is open from 7am to 10pm on weekdays and 9am to 10pm on weekends and bank holidays.