A TWO-YEAR project to build a medical centre came to an end with the official opening of the new premises.

Leyburn Medical Centre, in Brentwood, brings together the town's health services under one roof, with space for GPs, midwives, health visitors and district nurses, as well as administrators.

The new centre was officially opened by 98-year-old Dorothy Walker, pictured right, one of the oldest patients in the practice. She said: "I felt very honoured when I was asked to open this new medical centre. At 98, I'm a very good recommendation for the doctors here; I'm still enjoying life."

When the plans for the centre were first announced, there were objections from people living nearby, who felt that it would cause too much extra traffic. But GPs said it would not attract any more patients than used the old site.