A bidder has been selected by North Kirklees Primary Care Trust to build state-of-the-art healthcare centres in Cleckheaton and Liversedge.

Chiltern Securities Limited will oversee the design, building and operation of the Trust's £25 million capital investment programme to develop new healthcare facilities for local people.

The T&A announced the redevelopment - the biggest-ever capital investment made in primary and community services by a Primary Care Trust - 12 months ago.

The six new buildings will provide GP services, community nursing and other primary care services in Cleckheaton, Dewsbury and Batley.

The Cleckheaton health centre will be rebuilt to provide a wider range of services including existing GP services, physiotherapy, eye screening for diabetics, ultrasound, such as ante-natal scanning, and a facility to take blood samples. As a result, some people will not have to travel to hospital for blood tests and results will be available quicker.

In Liversedge, there are plans for an intermediate care centre on the site of the former Eddercliffe Grange residential home. This will provide intensive rehabilitation for patients leaving hospital, help people recover after an illness and prevent unnecessary admissions to hospital.

Barry Seal said: "North Kirklees Primary Care Trust is committed to developing modern GP facilities as close to patients as possible as well as developing top quality primary care services for the whole community. These new buildings will also help us to retain and recruit health professionals into the area."