WORK on Darwen's new health centre is expected to be completed ahead of schedule next month.

And patients could start using some of the services as early as June.

Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust has also confirmed that local people can look round the centre once the contractors have finished.

Initial feeback from a small advisory group, which has been working closely with the PCT during the development, has been positive.

The group, made up of local people including those with disabilities, went to see the new building last week.

Member Graham Carter, of Lower Darwen, who is wheelchair-bound, said: "They have created a very modern facility with lots of different departments and although I have seen the plans on paper, it is much bigger than I expected.

"It's very different from the present health centre where there's a big reception like an airport check-in. In the new building, each doctor has his own separate area which is more personal.

"There will be a free bus service from town and although there does not seem to be a lot of disabled parking spaces, we will have to see how it works.

The bulk of the work inside is done now, with all the carpets down,and they were even starting to put up the noticeboards."

David Brunskill, of the Primary Care Trust, said: "Work is progressing well and we expect handover from the contractors towards the end of May. Work has already started on planning the transfer of services from the existing health centre and we expect the first services to occupy the building in June.

"The PCT will keep the public informed of developments and will publish clear dates for the transfer of services as they are agreed. We are also arranging open days for local people to come along and see for themselves what the health centre has to offer."

A number of new services are also planned at the centre, which will cater for more than 30,000 people in Darwen.

These include an additional dental suite and extra consulting rooms for visiting specialists, expanded treatment room and podiatry (foot care) services and dedicated facilities for speech and language, audiology and physiotherapy.

Services for diabetic retinal screening and musculoskeletal services will also become available .