ONE of Darlington's oldest doctors' surgeries has made a £2m move to premises on Bondgate.

Netherlaw Surgery - now known as Blacketts Medical Practice - has operated from the town's Stanhope Road since the 1920s and has 8,600 patients on its books.

The practice has relocated to the former Blacketts pub, which had to be completely gutted and renovated to provide facilities for six doctors, practice nurses, physiotherapists, podiatrists, health visitors, community nurses and support staff.

The architect for the scheme was the Durham-based Howarth Litchfield Partnership and the building work was carried out by Darlington company Blackburn and Marshall Construction Limited.

The relocation was overseen by Darlington law firm Latimer Hinks, with David Brown organising the acquisition of the pub and leasing arrangements relating to the new pharmacy, which forms part of the complex.

Campbell Lees, Netherlaw Surgery's practice manager, said: "We had previously been working in an older building where there was insufficient room for staff and patients. Car parking was also a major problem there.

"This move represented a logical next step, enabling us to provide better facilities for patients as well as the scope to meet our long-term development plans."