WORK to create a state-of-the-art new £5.5million health centre for the people of Bacup and Stacksteads has now been completed.

And the key to the door was due to be officially handed over from the builders today.

Jim Heyes, chairman of the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust, was due to receive the symbolic key.

The trust has been responsible for bringing the centre to Rossendale, through a partnership with Lancashire builders the Eric Wright Group.

The development will lead to a major increase in the services available to residents with the inclusion of dental suites and an audiology room.

Heyes said: "The ceremonial and symbolic handover marks the beginning of a new era in primary care health provision for the top end of the Valley.

"The builders have delivered bang on schedule, and the people of Bacup and Stacksteads can look forward to having the use of 21st-century health facilities.

We are delighted to be in a position to deliver this brilliant all-in-one health centre to the people of the area.

"It is the first of our three new facilities to be finished and ready for use and Rossendale is leading the way with this official handover."

Mike Collier, director of the Eric Wright Group, added: "We are happy to have hit our delivery targets.

"It is a fine use of a traditional building that has such strong links with the Rossendale Valley's 'King Cotton' era.

"During the work, many local people have told us how pleased they are with what we are doing"

And the PCT today confirmed that the three practices involved will merge into one large personal medical service.

Doctors Williams, O'Malley and Ealing will move their practice on March 4 and 5, with all their patients being able to use the new surgery on March 7.

Doctors Greenwood, Wait and Wilkinson will move in on March 11 and 12, with their patients using the new surgery from March 14.