Work begins on Cockermouth Hospital and Cleator Moor care centre

The new hospital will replace a flood-damaged 100-year-old facility

A £15m overhaul of health services in west Cumbria is to begin with the building of a new hospital in Cockermouth.

The £11m complex will replace the 100-year-old building on Isel Road, NHS Northwest said.

Work also begins on Tuesday on a £4m GP-led health centre in neighbouring Cleator Moor.

The healthcare centre is due to open next summer and the hospital in the winter of 2013.

Lead GP for Copeland, Dr David Rogers, said: "This combined investment marks a big step-forward for health care in west Cumbria and will help enable us to plan and provide the best services for our patients."