MALVERN Health Centre in Victoria Park is among the sites which could be sold off for redevelopment as a result of plans to create a new hospital at Seaford Court.

Details of the hospital plan were outlined to Malvern Hills District Council's executive board on Tuesday, as the authority was asked to give official backing to the principle of a new hospital at Seaford Court.

Worcestershire Community and Mental Health NHS Trust is proposing to bring together health services currently spread around the town on the Malvern Link site.

If successful, the plan would give the trust the option of disposing of several sites, the current Malvern Community Hospital, Malvern Health Centre in Victoria Park and St Anne's Orchard.

Trust chief executive Sue Hunt said she wanted to stress that the level of services provided would not be affected, only the location.

Services provided for people with learning disabilities and mental health problems at Touchstone Day Centre, Barnards Green, are also being suggested as suitable to move to Seaford Court.

Those services are provided by Worcestershire County Council's social services department.

The council's chief executive, Chris Bocock, met with Mrs Hunt on Monday night.

He was told a decision from the Regional NHS body on the plan was expected in two weeks and council support would be a crucial addition to the trust's case.

The trust has submitted an outline business case to the Regional NHS office, which will decide whether it is strong enough for the NHS to dedicate Seaford Court to the development.

If the case fails, the NHS will look to sell off Seaford Court.

Success will mean the trust will have to draw up a detailed business case.

Support came from Coun Alex Stewart-Cleary, who said: "Malvern is the type of hospital I think every town should have, they are caring, they go out of their way to help everyone. I say it from the heart, I back this 100 per cent."