MINEHEAD'S new hospital proved a popular attraction when at least 1,200 people took the chance to see inside the facility for the first time last Saturday.

Visitors were literally queuing out of the door at an open day staged to show off the facilities the £25.5 million development just off Seaward Way has to offer.

Staff from the existing town centre hospital acted as tour guides, while members of the Friends of Minehead Hospital provided a welcome party.

And for more than six hours, local people just kept on coming, with health chiefs reporting that almost all expressed their pleasure and admiration at the quality of the design of the 19-bed complex, its facilities and fittings.

Derrick Edwards, chairman of the Friends of Minehead, said the organisation wanted to thank everyone who had attended the open day and for the support given by people in Minehead and across West Somerset.

"The new hospital is a great improvement upon the old and we have been very pleased to have been so closely involved in all stages of its development," said Mr Edwards.

"Patients will have free parking on the new hospital site and, thanks to money donated by the hospital friends, they will also enjoy free television."

The new hospital is on course to receive its first patients in just over a week's time.

In addition to inpatient facilities in the form of 11 single-bed rooms and two four-bay wards, the hospital will have outpatient clinics, x-ray and diagnostic services, a 24-hour minor injury unit, day facilities for adults with mental ill health and rehabilitation facilities.

Hospital matron Sue Meade said she wanted to thank her staff and the hospital friends for their support.

"The old hospital holds a lot of good memories for me and my staff but we are thrilled to be moving to the new hospital later this month.

"We will still deliver the same high standard of care but it will make such a difference to patients to be cared for in a bright and modern environment."

Photos: Steve Guscott