MILLOM Health Centre was officially opened yesterday at noon after a two-year renovation project.

The state-of-the-art centre, on Lapstone Road, will encompass both Waterloo House GP Surgery and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).

A main figurehead behind the project was professor and deputy chief executive of NHS Trust northern Cumbria, John Howarth, who heaped praise on the Millom community for its behind-the-scenes efforts during the project.

He said: "I'd like to thank Millom Hospital League of Friends, the local Millom alliance and the Morecambe Bay NHS Trust.

"However, the Millom community needs to be thanked more than anyone - they never gave up on this project.

"The actual centre was temporarily closed at one point due to a lack of facilities, which created a shortage of health professional opportunities.

"It was actually during a town meeting at The Beggar's Theatre in 2015, which was organised by the public, where I was inspired to help out on this project as much as I could."

Four years after that meeting, Millom has gone from having no efficient health services to one of the leading health centres in the country.

Professor Howarth added: "I've travelled all over the country and Europe doing presentations speaking about the efforts of the Millom people and how without them, there wouldn't be a health centre."

The centre will provide the area with a range of core GP services including mental health children's services, physiotherapy services and the latest x-ray facilities.

Millom deputy mayor and cllr Ruth Peter said: "I was at the opening ceremony and all attendees were given a guided tour of the new facilities, which are very impressive.

"In terms of space it will be much better for patients, which before the renovations I myself know was an issue.

"A number of people have said raising funds for the centre was difficult, but their efforts were worth it."

Professor Howarth said: "It's much more than a building - it's a symbol of the community's partnership and determination."