A BID by health bosses to turn a former supermarket into a £10m state-of-the-art health centre has been welcomed by councillors.

Legal talks are under way to finalise the sale of the 1.3-acre, Kwik Save site, in Colne, to NHS East Lancashire after a bid was accepted.

The sale is likely to be completed in the next few weeks with health chiefs hopeful building work will get under way next year for completion by 2011.

It comes just two weeks after Pendle councillors called for the NHS to buy the site so that it could be used for the new health centre.

Coun Graham Roach said: “It’s essential that the health centre is built in Pendle, and if it’s in Colne, then we welcome that.

“The people of Pendle deserve this, and as soon as the PCT move forward with the plans, we can then move forward ourselves.”

NHS East Lancashire’s aim is to provide a state-of-the-art environ-ment for existing local services, including GP practices, as well as bringing in more services that are currently provided in a hospital setting at Burnley, Blackburn or Airedale.

The development will supplement Nelson’s existing Yarnspinners Health Centre, and will be targeted at residents in the Colne, Trawden, Laneshawbridge, Foulridge and Kelbrook areas, as well as giving additional choice to residents from the neighbouring towns of Nelson, Barnoldswick and Earby.

The facility is part of plans to bring more primary health services into the heart of local communities and closer to people’s homes so that residents do not have to travel to hospital sites.

Peter Sellars, NHS East Lancashire’s Head of Primary Care Commissioning, said: “If all goes to plan and the legalities can be tied up satisfactorily, the next step will be to continue with a series of public meetings in the New Year.

“Local residents can then hear what we have in mind, with the opportunity to discuss the development and get involved.”