LONG-awaited improvements to the eye department at the Alexandra Hospital, including new clinics and more staff, should be in place by April.

The upgrades to ophthalmology services were set out in detail in a letter to town MP Jacqui Smith by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust chairman Michael O'Riordan.

A second full-time consultant will replace a part-time consultant and six new nurses appointed in the new year as part of the expansion of services.

Also on the cards are an extra four rooms at the hospital, including two clinics and more administrative staff.

The £250,000 investment this year will mean extra daytime clinics for patients with eye ailments such as cataracts.

The good news will be a relief for campaigners who fought for three years to retain eye services after there was talk of moving them to Kidderminster.

In October, the chairman of the now defunct Redditch and Bromsgrove Community Health Council, David McGrath, was still calling for more investment in eye services in Redditch and Bromsgrove.

He described "severe pressure" on the sole full-time consultant Mr Bichitra Das.

Ms Smith said: "There were very worrying indications a couple of years ago that services would be cut.

"Thanks to a vigorous campaign at the time and a willingness on the part of the trust managers to listen, a new way has been found.

"The new staff, facilities and clinics will help drive down waiting times and provide the sort of accessible services that we all want."