Community centre open next autumn

Work has begun on a new £2.5m community centre in Weston-super-Mare.

The "Healthy Living Centre" on the Bournville estate will be open by autumn 2004, with the aim of improving the health and well-being of local residents.

The centre will house a doctor and vicar under one roof, as it incorporates a health and day centre, adult learning facilities, a nursery, church and cafe.

Local residents have been involved in the design of the building and have also contributed to the fundraising process.

This was considerably aided by a £1m grant from the Lottery New Opportunities Fund.

Dr Max Kammerling, director at a local Primary Care Trust said: "We are enormously pleased to see work beginning on this new building.

"It will provide a real opportunity to work with local residents to provide the sort of facilities they need in an area with some of the worst health problems in North Somerset."