BUCKETS catching rainwater are set to be a thing of the past at a Blackburn health centre after plans were revealed for a multi-million pound replacement.

Discussions have begun to resite Montague Health Centre from Oakenhurst Road, a building which its own managers have said is run down.

Health bosses have announced two possible sites, the former St Wilfrid's Lower School, Byrom Street, and the former Ranglings train depot site off Canterbury Street.

Practice managers said the Montague Health Centre - which houses five practices with 12 doctors - does not have enough space for staff and patients.

Shagufta Ranvelkar, practice manager for Dr Rajif Virdi, said: "It is organised completely wrong. The main reception is at the back when it should be at the front of the building so people have to walk through to get there.

"It is terrible for parking and we don't have enough rooms per practice. When it rains it comes through, I have buckets everywhere so that is a health and safety hazard."

She said waiting room and storage space is limited and the five practice managers have to share a room.

Ann Harwood, practice manager for Dr Francis Apaloo said there are "nowhere near" enough car parking spaces.

She said: "It wasn't built for the number of people that are in it at the moment."

David Brunskill, director of corporate development for Blackburn with Darwen NHS Primary Care Trust, said there is no favoured site at the moment.

The project will be built through a mortgage-style deal with a private builder which will see the NHS pay the cash back over several decades. No timescale for the work has been agreed.