WORK to build Barrow's new super surgery will today finally start after first being promised five years ago.

The new £12m Barrow Community Health Centre, on the old Alfred Barrow School in Duke Street, will finally go ahead after years of planning.

A groundbreaking ceremony will take place today to mark the beginning of the development.

The centre will merge Abbey Road Surgery, Atkinson Health Centre and Risedale Surgery and will be home to a pharmacy and a range of community NHS services.

These include district nursing, physiotherapy, podiatry, retinal screening and mental health counselling.

The new surgery was first announced back in 2013 and was originally due to be completed last Autumn.

The facility is being jointly funded by NHS England and the Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group.

The building will incorporate the old Grade II-listed section of the school.

Work is scheduled to be completed in 2019.