A £400,000 health centre has begun the work of breathing new life into one of Burnley's most deprived wards.

And Burnley's favourite footballing son said it was about time the district of town where he lived was the envy of the others.

Clarets legend Jimmy McIlroy officially opened the Howard Street centre and encouraged people to make use of the much-needed service.

Mr McIlroy was joined by Burnley MP Peter Pike and the Mayor of Burnley, Coun Lillian Clark at the launch of the former local nursery.

He said: "I imagine it will take some time before everyone becomes fully aware of the benefits of the Howard Street centre but I have no doubt it will be a huge success and the envy of every other district in Burnley.

"As I live in Rosehill Road I am glad to know that I am within the catchment area and able to use the services myself."

The building was altered to create a centre for the whole community which will provide various services all under one roof including dental care, a mens health promotion and health sessions for the over 55s, as well as walk-in consultations.

Staff at the health centre will also work with other schemes such as the Elm Tree Family Support Service to build on their experience so that they are not starting from scratch.

Burnley MP Peter Pike said: "This is really a great facility. It is good to see everyone pulling together to provide a much needed service in this part of town. When I arrived I was told VIPs could park outside. I told them that I was just an MP and that the VIPs here were the people who work here and provide such a necessary service.

"I hope this will be a flagship centre that will be repeated in other parts of Burnley and other areas."

Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust will run the scheme which has been funded by the council's Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, which is contributing £322,000, and the NHS, which will provide £105,000 during the next 12 months.

The primary care trust is hoping they will continue to fund the centre's running costs of £100,000 a year.

The Mayor of Burnley Coun Lillian Clark also praised the hard work of those responsible for the creation of the centre.

She said: "A lot of hard work has gone into this by residents and a wide range of organisations. It was a collective effort and joint co-operation. The provision of this centre is a step forward in making such services more accessible to the community and it addresses many of the health and social care needs of South West Burnley through a variety of services and activities.

"It is very encouraging to see this programme in the borough of Burnley and see people who will actually seek to help their neighbour."

The health centre was planned after the citizens' jury was assembled to discuss local health and social care issues relating to south-west Burnley in June 2002.

Tim Mansfield, head of the Primary Care Trust's multi-agency service department, said: "We needed to look at what was available in the area."