A HEALTH centre has been thrown into chaos after being targeted by arsonists.

Fire ripped through a doctor's office at the Halliwell Health and Children's Centre in the early hours of yesterday, causing widespread damage.

Staff have been forced to reschedule more than 400 appointments and the centre will be closed for the rest of the week.

A drop-in clinic used by the parents of new babies has also been cancelled until repairs are carried out. Pictured above surveying the wrecked office are Graham Boardman, left, of Bolton Primary Care Trust, and caretaker Brian Berry.

A 2ft-wide hole was cut in a wire reinforced window by the arsonists, who stole a computer then set the room alight before fleeing.

PCT chief executive Tim Evans said: "This irresponsible act has caused significant and unnecessary disruption for local people requiring health services, many of whom are often already in difficult and distressing personal situations.

"Our staff work closely with local communities to provide high-quality care, and whilst the PCT has worked hard with our staff to minimise the impact, acts like this add completely unnecessary stress to staff and patients alike.

"I am appalled that someone would choose to cause these problems deliberately by setting fire to a health centre."

Firefighters were called to the building in Aylesford Walk at 2am yesterday.

The fire destroyed the doctor's office and it took fire crews two-and-a-half hours to tackle the blaze.

The rest of the building, which is a specialist centre for a range of children's services and also has a dentist and podiatry and family planning clinics, was damaged by smoke.

A PCT spokesman said no confidential records were kept on the stolencomputer, but said written health records for one patient could have been in the room. Officials have contacted the patient concerned.

The spokesman said the room destroyed by the blaze has been targeted by thieves before and steps would be taken to improve security at the centre.

The building will be closed until the end of the week.

Health workers have been relocated to other centres around the borough and dental patients will be sent to Lever Chambers in Bolton town centre.

The building is due to reopen on Monday.

The following numbers have been issued to patients of the centre who need help: Children's Services - 01204 529381; dental - 01204 360015; podiatry - 01204 384355; family planning - 01204 390771