A NEW £30million development at Burnley General Hospital has opened, replacing an outdated Victorian wing.

The last patients from seven wards were moved in at the weekend and they said they were delighted to be heading into a more comfortable environment.

The new building, which will be known as Phase Five, has 170 medical beds, with a maximum of four beds to a bay and additional private rooms with en suite facilities.

It houses a rehabilitation suite for people who have had an operation, a renal dialysis unit, a clinic for day surgery, a dermatology suite and a radiology and electrocardiogram department.

The building has been built on a car park and the site of an old ward in the middle of the site.

Trust chairman Christine Kirk declared the building officially open at a ceremony on Saturday.

Patient Brian Smith, 64, marked the end of an era and made history last week when he married 61-year-old Carol-Ann on Ward 12, days before it closed.

Mr Smith, who recently suffered kidney failure and a stroke and had both legs amputated because of his diabetes, said: "I'm sad to be moving because I've spent quite a lot of time on this ward but it's also an exciting time for the patients and the staff who will be in a more modern environment."

Ward matron Carole Berry added: "I would like to thank the staff for all their hard work and dedication.

"It is the end of an era but we are also very excited about working in the new building."

James Lasseter, general manager of Catalyst Healthcare the consortium that built and will manage the new wing said: "It's great to see the building at last being put to the purpose for which it has been designed and equipped.

"No one wants to be in hospital so our aim is to help make patients as comfortable as possible during their stay and support the trust in every way we can." Construction of Phase 5 began in winter 2003 and was completed at the end of March 2006.

Office staff and outpatient departments moved in last week and the inpatient wards were transferred yesterday.

Work will now begin on demolishing the old Victorian wing.