FURTHER details of plans to transform one of North Yorkshire's major hospitals have been unveiled.

An artist's impression shows how the site of the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton could ultimately look.

Among other things, it features new wards, better vehicle access from Bullamoor Road, a bus stop and improved patient parking nearer the main entrance, where staff changing rooms now stand.

The picture lays out the long term plan for the redevelopment of the Friarage by South Tees NHS Trust, which takes over the hospital next month, when the Northallerton trust is wound up.

Phase one will see a three-storey block replacing some of the hospital's Second World War wooden huts. It will house a children's ward and a women's health unit, with a pathology department on the upper floor.

At the rear of the site, an energy centre will be constructed to replace the outdated boiler system.

Phase two will see a second three-storey block built next to the main entrance. The entrance itself will form part of a central mall, with a glazed roof.

The drawings were unveiled by John Gibb, who will run the Friarage for South Tees, and funding for the first phase has been kick-started by a major contribution from the hospital's League of Friends, giving the trust the basis for a bid to for development cash.

"We are now at the point where we know what we want and the staff know what they want," said Mr Gibb.

"That is to be agreed this week and if it needs some refinement that will take place over the next couple of weeks."

Architect Chris Potter said the artist's impression was subject to looking in detail at the aspirations of each department.

A revised car parking and one-way system aims to ease congestion and help people find their way around the hospital.

"One of our wishes was to try to make it simpler and clearer for patients to find their way around the buildings," he said.