A new canopy and entrance have been unveiled at Airedale Hospital at Steeton.

They form the initial stage of the premises’ new emergency department.

Until building work is complete, the canopy will be used by ambulances bringing people to the temporary A&E unit.

Demolition of the old A&E area should be complete by Christmas, and construction work proper on the new £6.3m emergency department will start in the New Year.

Meg Crossley, consultant in emergency medicine at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust and clinical lead for the project, said: “It’s great to see the very first parts of the new department taking shape.”