A NEW health centre costing nearly £3 million is being planned for Atherton.

The centre, which will house three GP surgeries, eight doctors and a pharmacy, will be based on the former St George's infants school off Bag Lane. It has been empty since the amalgamation of the infant and junior schools.

Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Primary Care Trust hopes the centre will be ready next year.

The move has been welcomed by town councillor Sue Loudon who said the project would provide much needed improved health care facilities in the town and also crack a problem with vandalism at the old school premises.

Cllr Loudon also wanted to reassure people who live in the Prestwich Street and Russell Street areas that the development will not mean the reopening of the rat run between Gloucester Street and Bag Lane.

She said: "The health centre news is brilliant, we've had a problem with vandalism at the school, and with doctors retiring and not being replaced we're definitely in need of more GPs.

"Access to the health centre will be from Bag Lane but there will be no through route."