HEALTH Minister John Hutton took time out from his busy North West tour this week to view Blackpool's latest health projects.

Blackpool North MP, Joan Humble, met with Mr Hutton on January 22 and conducted the tour that began at the Bispham Family Centre on Bispham Road where he spoke openly with children and staff of the support centre for children and families in need, before moving on to the construction site of a new hospital unit currently being built on Kincraig Road.

The £3 million unit is one of three 40-bed units currently being built to replace outdated facilities at Rossall and Wesham Park Hospitals and is due to open in May this year.

Chief executive of the community trust, Philip Scully, was delighted that Mr Hutton took such an interest in the scheme saying: "We were delighted to be able to share our plans with the Minister at a time when the Fylde Coast is blazing a new trail in providing quality services for older members of the community and our long-held vision is about to become a reality."

Mrs Humble confirmed the visit was a great success: "It went very well,"she said. "I was pleased that he was able to see two such exciting projects in Blackpool."

Pictured here left to right are Joan Humble, Jimmy Armfield (non-executive director of the community trust), main contractor Eric Wright, John Hutton and the trust's chief executive Philip Scully.