FOUR new state-of-the-art health centres are to be built in North Kirklees.

And two others will be extensively improved.

Family doctors have secured £25m to develop healthcare facilities in the community.

Barry Seal, chairman of North Kirklees Primary Care Trust, said: "This is fantastic news. It is the biggest ever capital investment made in primary and community services."

The North Kirklees area has a dire shortage of family doctors and is having to recruit from overseas to fill the gap.

Mr Seal added: "These new buildings will help us to retain and recruit health professionals in the area."

The plans include improving Batley Health Centre and building new premises at Cleckheaton, Ravensthorpe, Savile Town and Dewsbury.

There will also be an intermediate care centre in Liversedge.

The whole scheme will provide GP services, community nursing and other primary care activities.

Plans include replacing several GP surgeries and making them more accessible and attractive to patients.

The Ravensthorpe and Savile Town primary care centres will provide family doctors and clinics for babies and heart disease and diabetes sufferers.

Up to three general practices could be accommodated, which could mean up to seven GPs and nurse practitioners under one roof.

The intermediate care centre for rehabilitation will be built on the site of Eddercliffe Grange old people's home in Liversedge. It will provide intensive rehabilitation for patients leaving hospital, help people recover after illness and aim to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.

Cleckheaton Health Centre will be rebuilt and Batley Health Centre extended and refurbished.

These will provide physiotherapy, occupational therapy and rehabilitation, eye screening for diabetics, ultrasound scanning for pregnant women and phlebotomy blood testing.

The new Dewsbury centre will house up to six general practices, which could mean up to 16 GPs and nurse practitioners. It will offer tests previously available at Dewsbury District Hospital, provide speech and language therapy, eye screening for diabetics and give advice on housing and social services.