Residents in Steeton and Eastburn have thrown overwhelming support behind a health centre's bid to open a new pharmacy in the villages.

Villagers want to see the recently-formed Steeton Heal-thcare Ltd take on the responsibility of opening up a new chemist's shop in Steeton.

More than 250 people packed into a meeting at St Stephen's Church hall, Stee-ton, to voice their opinions on three different applicants. Residents were asked where they would like the new chemist, and then to judge which chemist would offer the most benefits to the villages.

When it came to a vote there was unanimous support for the bid from the health centre.

The application also has the full support of Cllr Eric Dawson, who represents the ward on Bradford council. He believes Bradford Health authority, which will make the decision, should take heed of public opinion.

He says: "It was obvious from the vote that people want the chemist to be situated in the same place as the current dispensary. I hope the people on the health authority board listen to what the people of Steeton and Eastburn have said and act accordingly on it."

Steeton Healthcare Ltd was formed by a group of GPs at Steeton Health Centre, in Chapel Road. The company says profits from a new pharmacy on the premises would be used to fund the centre, its receptionists and its practice nurse, which would otherwise be lost. The new shop would be situated in the health centre, replacing the dispensary which is closing down.

The application will be put before a health authority meeting on Wednesday, August 12, when a final decision will be made. The other applications were from Burnley-based Pyr-amid Pharmacy Ltd, and from Janet Gibbons, who currently runs a pharmacy in Sutton.

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