AN extra £5 million Government funding has been allocated to Worcestershire Health Authority, it was revealed on Monday.

The county is one of 14 authorities to benefit from almost £36 million to help improve and modernise health services.

Chief executive of Worcestershire Health Authority Pat Archer-Jones said it was encouraging that the Secretary of State for Health had recognised the special healthcare needs in the county.

She also said: "We are taking major strides here in modernising services and improving the quality of care but all of this takes time.

"These funds will be used to manage the transition into the new facilities in Worcester and Kidderminster and will give much welcome relief to the financial pressures the Acute Trust and Health Authority have been experiencing."