WORK on a new £3.3 million health care centre for Morecambe is to begin next month.

The site of the Queen Victoria Hospital is to become a primary care resource centre, offering a wide range of out-patient services which will reduce the need for Morecambe people to move to Lancaster.

John Murphy, deputy finance director with Morecambe Bay Primary Care trust, said: "I am delighted we have a start date and planned schedule of work for Morecambe's primary resource centre.

"This has followed a long period of planning and discussions with local people and representative groups on the scope and nature of healthcare services that could be provided."

Building work is to be handled by Pinnington's of Lancaster, and will start with the conversion of the ground floor of the elderly block, before work begins in February on the demolition of the Morecambe hospital building.

The final stage of work is due to commence in January 2003 with the demolition of Victoria House.

Mr Murphy added: "We anticipate some of the benefits will include modern facilities for local people, a cost saving design, £3.3 million investment in the Poulton area, a new nurse led minor conditions unit, retention of existing services in Morecambe, saving the need to travel to Lancaster and there will be the ability for future expansion if required.

We are now looking forward to working with Pinningtons to progress this next vital step of the project."