LANGBAURGH Primary Care Trust has revealed its preferred site for a new £25m hospital in Redcar.

The trust unveiled plans to build the hospital off West Dyke Road, next to Micklow Close, at a meeting with residents yesterday.

The proposals are central to the PCT's Fit For The Future project, which focuses on the redevelopment of services currently provided at Stead Memorial Hospital, the town's health centre and Wheatacres Residential Home.

Initial plans for the hospital, which will not have an accident and emergency unit, have now been drawn up.

Building work is expected to start in July 2006, with completion in the summer of 2007. Work between now and July will concentrate on design and determining a partner to finance and build the hospital.

Residents close to the site have been invited to a series of meetings to discuss the development, the first of which was held at Newcomen Methodist Church Hall yesterday.

A spokesman for the PCT said: "We have looked at many other sites around Redcar, but this is the preferred one. It is the right size and in the right area."

"Sue Cook, clinical leader at the Stead's general unit, said: "It is well overdue and will be of great benefit to the whole of Redcar and the surrounding area."