BUPA Hospitals has been named as the preferred bidder for a contract to supply NHS services to people in the Cheshire.

BUPA will carry out about 6,000 procedures a year for NHS patients in the area, including ear, nose and throat surgery, general surgery, gynaecology, neurosurgery, orthopaedics and plastic surgery.

When the contract terms have been finalised, it is proposed that a BUPA treatment centre will be created at Ormskirk General Hospital. All other facilities will be provided by BUPA's three hospitals in the North West: BUPA Murrayfield Hospital, Wirral, BUPA Manchester Hospital and BUPA North Cheshire Hospital in Warrington.

Clare Hollingsworth, managing director of BUPA Hospitals, said: 'We are delighted to have the opportunity to work in partnership with the NHS in the North West to provide the best possible services for patients.'