PLANS for a new, multi-million pound health centre in a deprived area of Accrington have been backed by Hyndburn Council.

The centre will be built on land bounded by Blackburn Road, Lonsdale Street, Lower Antley Street and Leyland Street and forms part of the Phoenix regeneration project in the west of the town.

It will offer GPs the modern facilities they are currently lacking and provide a base for practice, community and district nurses. Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care Trust said it will also offer other services aimed at tackling health problems in the area.

David Rogers, chief executive of the PCT, said: "It is an area where there are high levels of deprivation and as a consequence poor levels of health.

"We want to have services that reflect local needs.

The centre will offer sexual health, mental health and drug and alcohol services. There will also be a child development centre and a pharmacy.

Mr Rogers said: "The benefit of the Blackburn Road site is that it is part of a wider attempt to improve the area through Project Phoenix.

"It is going to be a fantastic state-of-the-art health centre, but it is also going to be another piece in the jigsaw to regenerate west Accrington."

The proposals have won the unanimous support of Hyndburn Council's planning committee.

Councillor Dave Parkins said: "This is an excellent scheme. It will enhance the west Accrington area and the facilities will be unbelievable."

Committee chairman Coun Lynn Wilson added: "The quality of health in this area is less than average and maybe this will help improve that."

The health centre is one of three planned under the Local Improvement Finance Trust initiative for the area served by Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care Trust the other two will be in Paradise Street, East Accrington, and Clitheroe.