TOWN doctors have appealed to residents to back proposals for a medical centre in Frodsham.

GPs from Rock and Knoll Surgeries on Frodsham's High Street say the medical centre proposed for Top Field, Fluin Lane, is an 'unmissable opportunity.'

The plan has divided the town between patients who want a modern medical facility, and residents who believe it will take up precious community land.

An outline planning application has been submitted to Vale Royal Borough Council on behalf of Cheshire West Primary Care Trust, who want to build on land known as Top Field in Fluin Lane.

The planning application is to be debated at a public meeting at the Church Hall, Church Street, at 7.30pm next Tuesday.

A Save Our Field campaign has been launched by residents aiming to scupper the medical centre.

Campaigners say Top Field is a valuable community asset and town leaders should protect all public open space from development.

They have circulated a petition around Frodsham, urging Vale Royal planners to reject the scheme.

However, in a joint statement, doctors and practice managers say the medical centre brings greater opportunities.

They say: 'The Rock and Knoll Surgeries have been working with United Healthcare Developments for the past 18 months to address the acute accommodation and logistical problems faced by all GPs, health-care staff and patients in both practices.

'We have formed a project team consisting of representatives from both practices, Frodsham town and Vale Royal borough councils and Cheshire West Primary Care Trust. All parties are committed to the development of a health centre in Frodsham.

'The Frodsham Healthcare project includes the relocation of two practices and co-location of community services (district nurses and health visitors).

'The drive from the Government and NHS is to improve patient choice and provide treatment and diagnostic services closer to patients.

'Neither practice will be able to do this whilst they are working from inadequate and cramped premises with insufficient access.

'We do not want our patients to miss out on the opportunity to benefit from accessing additional services locally.

'Bringing together the GPs and health-care teams under one roof will provide us with greater opportunities to improve services.'

'We do not want to let patients down and need community support to help us in our bid for new premises.'

The statement was issued by doctors J Leneghan, P M Milroy, R Adair, S Hall, H Asteriades, K Ryan, H Hatt, S Pomfret, D Stanawa and practice managers Paul Smith and Pauline Sweeney.