Suggestions about what facilities the new Malvern hospital should contain have been taken on board.

At a meeting of South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust on Wednesday, a report on the public consultation was accepted.

The consensus was that the hospital should be built at Seaford Court, have more than 24 beds, a minor injuries unit and be capable of future expansion.

Chief executive Mike Ridley said the PCT would work with the project team to produce an outline business case, then a full business case to present to the Strategic Health Authority for approval.

"We intend to move this scheme forward as quickly as possible and we would hope that we'd be able to start the building work next year," he said.

Speaking after the meeting, Malvern Town Council chairman Ralph Madden said: "My impression was that the consultation process will provide the PCT with a very good checklist when they come to put together their outline business case, which goes to the next board meeting on June 6."

Malvern Hills District Council leader Tom Wells confirmed that officers were investigating the potential of financing the hospital and leasing it back to the PCT. Other private investors are also said to be interested.