A HOST of dignitaries turned up in Alcester on Wednesday to break ground on the new Alcester Primary Care Centre.

Work has been held up on the centre for a number of reasons, and NHS Warwickshire chairman Bryan Stoten took up the spade to turn the first sod on the site, along with local GPs, community health leaders and Alcester’s mayor Lennox Cumberbatch.

Mr Stoten, said: “After months of planning it was fantastic to finally see work on the site of what will be the new Alcester Primary Care Centre get underway. The state-of-the-art health and social care centre will be a great addition to Alcester and of huge benefit to the local population.”

Speaking on Thursday, Councillor Cumberbatch added: “Yesterday was a momentous one for the town of Alcester. Work has eventually commenced on the development of the primary care centre on the old hospital site. After waiting for many years, the residents of Alcester and the surrounding areas will within the next ten or so months, be able to benefit from up-to-date local health and social care facilities and services which will be located on one site.

“Yesterday’s happy event was attended by Dr Richard Lambert, the chairman of NHS Warwickshire, Bryan Stoten, architects and senior staff from the contractors. All expressed their delight that work is underway.”