THE FORMER Farmway building in Darlington's King Street is to become a one-stop medical health centre, the D&S Times can reveal.

Last month, the D&S Times reported that Darlington Primary Care Trust was looking to create a modern health care facility in the town centre to encompass a range of community and medical services under one roof.

The site now chosen is the former Farmway building currently occupied by Burt's Carpets.

The top two storeys of the three-storey building are currently undergoing refurbishment and a planning application to change the use of the premises from a warehouse facility to a medical centre and offices has been submitted.

The centre, which will be the first of its kind in the region, is likely to offer minor operations and victim examination suite, community dentist, GP surgery, heart clinic, children's health services, a healthy living centre and the new Patient Advice and Liaison Service.

It will also become the new headquarters of the PCT.

For family firm Burt's Carpets, which has served the town for more than 50 years, it means yet another move.

* Eastmount Road plans, page 6.