Work has commenced on a medical centre development in Ardrossan.

The project will see the site, which includes the listed former police station, transformed into a state-of-the-art 10,000 sq ft health centre.

Being led by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, the development will create 10 full-time jobs, in addition to 30 jobs during the construction phase and five training places. The facility, which is located close to the ferry terminal to Arran, will provide high quality improvement for the residents and a first-class facility for visitors.

Once work is completed, the GPs partnership will take a 25-year lease on the building, supported by the NHS, and will provide a doctor's surgery and ancillary healthcare.

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Irvine Bay successfully secured £2.5m of funding from the Scottish Government as part of its commitment to "shovel ready" projects.

Margaret Burgess MSP, Minister for Housing and Welfare, marked the beginning of the work, commenting; "Earlier this year the Scottish Government contributed £2.5 million from the 'shovel ready' programme to this project. This additional funding has enabled Irvine Bay Regeneration to play a major role in delivering much needed services to the area.

"Bringing this formerly derelict site back into use as a doctors' surgery and healthcare centre is a great example of how buildings can be regenerated to provide vital services for the local area. This facility will not only breathe new life into the town centre but will also improve medical services for residents of Ardrossan."

Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay, added: "We are delighted that we are able to deliver such a needed and long-awaited development for the town, which will primarily be of benefit to local residents but will also be a valuable resource for tourists and visitors.

"It will also remove what is a derelict eyesore from one of the major routes in the town and create in its place a state-of-the-art facility and return to good health a listed building."

(JP/CD)