PRESTWICH NHS Walk-in Centre will be open for the town's walking wounded from Monday, October 11.

Located next to Prestwich Health Centre in Fairfax Road, the centre will provide instant access to an NHS nurse for advice and treatment for a wide range of illnesses and injuries, without having to make an appointment.

Medical staff will be trained to deal with minor illnesses, including sore throats, coughs, colds, ear infections, diarrhoea and vomiting. Injuries such as sprains, strains, cuts, bruises and minor head injuries can also be treated at the centre.

A range of health-screening services will also be offer and the centre will be able to help patients to manage chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes and coronary heart disease.

Information on healthy living, quitting smoking and travel advice will also be available.

Mrs Anne Coates, director of strategy and service development at Bury Primary Care Trust (PCT), said: "This is an exciting development at Bury PCT which welcomes a second walk-in centre following the success of the centre in Bury which opened in the summer of 2000.

"This exciting venture presents new opportunities for the modernisation of services for patients and healthcare professionals alike."

She added: "Nurses at the walk-in centre are fully trained to assess, diagnose and treat a wide range of illnesses and injuries. They are also able to refer patients to other services if required."

The NHS Walk-in Centre will be open from Monday to Friday from 8am until 9pm; and Saturday, Sundays and Bank Holidays from 9am until 5pm, allowing people to call in at a time most convenient to them.