Improvements to Thornbury's health services may finally happen after the government's incumbent health secretary threw his support behind the campaign.

Thornbury and Yate incumbent MP Luke Hall has said that he has received assurances from Matt Hancock that he has instructed officials to take a lead in progressing the project to ensure that key decision makers get on with delivering the promised Thornbury Health Hub facility.

Mr Hall had been campaigning for a redeveloped health centre in the town since 2017 after he brought former health secretary Jeremy Hunt to the area.

Improvements would include: Extra GP Capacity, outpatient services, mental health services and a Frailty Hub.

Mr Hall said: "I have consistently placed delivering this much needed project as a priority alongside defeating the housing plans.

"For far too long with have seen delay and dithering, when neighbours in Thornbury need this project delivered now.

"I am really grateful that Ministers have finally intervened after the case I made to them as part of my positive plan for our local NHS.

"If re-elected I hope to keep the momentum going as we can’t go back to square one now."

In a letter to Mr Hall Matt Hancock said: "I’m delighted to inform you that the NHS England and NHSE Improvement regional team have agreed to take on a lead role to drive forward progress on the discussions taking place locally to redevelop the site.

"I’ve asked the Minister for Health, Ed Argar, to host a roundtable with you, the NHS regional team, and local health leaders to help move things forward, too."