The opening hours at the Minor Injuries Unit in Yate are expected to extend later this month.

The Gazette reported in January that the hours were set to be extended in April after the company that runs the facility Sirona decided to increase funding.

Hours at the centre will now be from 8am-8pm seven days a week, with X-ray services also being provided at the unit.

CCG clinical lead for unplanned care, Dr Lesley Ward, said: “This is an exciting development for Yate MIU and a big boost to our plans to enhance urgent care provision across the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire area.

“Changing Yate to an 8am to 8pm, seven days a week service, is a really positive step forward that will improve care for local people as well as helping the unit to respond better to surges in demand."

Leader of South Gloucestershire Council Toby Savage and Luke Hall MP, who said: "This latest step is the result of some very positive work between the Council and the CCG and we are in full support of the plans being put forward.

“The provision of quality healthcare services is high on our respective agendas and giving the public extended access to such services seven days a week would be of considerable benefit to the residents of South Gloucestershire."

A further development will now also see X-ray services provided over the weekends and also on bank holidays.

South Gloucestershire Councillor Ruth Davis said: "We've long argued that weekends are some of the busiest times for minor injuries, especially for people playing sport.

"It's great news for people in the Yate area that they will now be able to get an X-ray at the weekend."

SGC's Cllr Claire Young echoed those thoughts: "When it was announced that the MIU would be open 8am to 8pm seven days a week from April, we challenged health chiefs about the lack of X-ray services at weekends.

"We kept pushing and are delighted that they have now agreed to offer X-rays on weekends and Bank Holidays during the busier periods of the day from later this month."