THE official opening of a new doctors' surgery in Market Lavington will mark the end of a five year project.

The purpose built surgery opposite the entrance to the Fiddington Clay estate replaces the cramped and inaccessible GP surgery in Church Street.

The new surgery has cost around £950,000 and is being funded by Dr Richard Sandford-Hill and Dr Barbara Gompels. It will be officially opened on Saturday by Sir Maurice Johnston, the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire.

The practice employs two full time and three part time GPs, 18 other members of staff and serves 5,339 patients.

The new surgery is fully accessible to people with disabilities. It has consulting rooms for all five GPs plus space for travel clinics, physiotherapy, podiatry, counselling and family clinics.

Practice manager Dawn Edwards said: "We started looking for a site for a new surgery five years ago. We had totally outgrown the old premises that were located in two converted cottages.

"It had become very difficult to work there with only three consulting rooms and a staff kitchen that comprised a kettle under the stairs.

"In our new premises we can offer a much improved service to our disabled patients and parents with pushchairs and have a lift to the first floor where we hold clinics.

"We also have a very active patient participation group who have helped us tremendously in raising funds to enhance the facilities available to our patients. Without the help of our staff and patients we would not be in the position we are today."