BUILDING work on Alcester's revamped hospital has been delayed until early next year.

The Chronicle reported in July how the South Warwickshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) planned to start the facelift of the Kinwarton Road hospital in the autumn.

But because of ongoing negotiations with the building contractors, an agreement has still yet to be signed.

The planned redevelopment with 25 new beds, a day care and outpatient suite with chiropody, dental surgery and physiotherapy treatment suites got the go-ahead from Stratford Council planners earlier this year.

And the PCT hoped the revamp would be finished in about July next year.

Helen Edwards, from the PCT, said the delay had been down to the final cost of the whole development with the contractors.