THE date for work to start on the new £5.2m medical centre at Upton-upon-Severn could be announced today.

Building was due to begin at the Tunnel Hill site last month, but planning and legal problems caused delays.

Yesterday, practice manager Philippa White said negotiations with lawyers, banks, contractors and Worcestershire County Council had caused the hold-up, as had the Easter holiday. The land purchase was now complete, but final agreements over highways and utilities work were still required and signatures co-ordinated for the deal to be able to go ahead.

"I'm meeting the architect and some of the builders today so we may be able to set a date," said Mrs White. "The timing of it is really crucial. Everything has to be in place for exactly the right time."

When built, the state-of-the-art centre will have individual consulting rooms and will also house dentists, physiotherapists, social services and district nurses.

Plans for the new medical centre, originally announced in 2003, were initially delayed due to funding and planning problems. Final permission was granted in 2004, despite the fear of Upton Civic Society and some residents, that it would create a ribbon of development between Upton, Tunnel Hill and Holly Green.

Mayor John Thompson welcomed the news that a start being made on the building.

"The council voted in favour of it going there and we'll look forward to it happening," he said.