LOTTERY winners are delighted at the way work is progressing with their multi-million pound community dream.

Morts Astley Heritage Trust members (pictured) this week checked out the first stages of their ambitious project to safeguard historic Astley Hall which received Heritage Lottery backing to the tune of £1.6m and over a £1/4m from the European Regional Development Fund.

After Astley Hospital closed a dedicated and talented band of locals spent four years awaiting the outcome of their bid to turn 17th century Dam House and the in-grounds doctor's house in to a community centre.

In January they got the thumbs-up for their project which will bring together a historic educational resource centre, clinic, doctors' surgeries, pharmacy, nursery and tea rooms together in the former hospital administration block which was once the home of the Mort family.

They struck a deal Bryant Homes North West Limited for the old hall, doctor's house, garden and woodland. Developers Bryant had bought the hospital site from the North West Regional Health Authority.

Trust fund-raisers raised another £500 at the weekend with a street collection and on Monday were on site where work on their community scheme and housing development is progressing.

Excited Trust member Christine Jones told The Journal: "Renovation is well underway on the doctor's house, which will be our caretaker's residence.

"Work on Dam House should start in April. We are grateful to everyone who has and is supporting our aims." 83/100/29

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