A NEW state-of-the-art health centre built on the site of the oldest school in Bolton is on schedule to open in October this year.

Costing £3 million, Pikes Lane Primary Care Resource Centre in Deane Road will house GPs, district and community nurses, a local authority housing office, training facilities, a range of health services and rooms for general community use.

The building stands on the former spot of Pikes Lane Primary School -- demolished last year to make way for the centre.

Both the new school and the health centre, are part of the flagship project of the 3Ds Partnership set up in 1995 to regenerate Deane, Derby and Daubhill.

work started on the centre which is being part-funded and run by Community Healthcare Bolton NHS Trust in August last year and is expected to be completed in September. It is hoped the centre will become fully operational in October.

It will replace existing GP accommodation at nearby Cannon Street Health Centre and will provide a base for a team of nurses who are currently working from health centres in the Farnworth area.

Designed by national award-winning architect Stephen Hodder, the centre boasts several unique features including an open walkway, court-yard style gardens and a community coffee shop.

Chief executive of Community Healthcare Bolton NHS Trust, Mr Patrick Wallace, said: "We want people living in and around the area to use the centre not simply as a health facility, but an integral part of the community itself."

The centre will also house medical treatment rooms, a minor injuries suite and a new base for the learning disabilities service.

Bolton Council Housing Services will operate a one-stop shop and people will be able to pay rent over the counter. A room has already been set aside for use by the local community for meetings and people living in the area are being encouraged to contribute to the landscaping of the grounds in and around the centre.

Mr Wallace added: "We want people to use the centre as a community facility, not simply somewhere to access health services and their ideas are important to us."