THE preferred site of a £25m hospital in Redcar will be revealed at a meeting with local residents today.

The proposals are central to the Fit for the Future project, which focuses on redeveloping services currently provided at Redcar's Stead Memorial Hospital, the town's health centre and Wheatacres Residential Home. The Primary Care Trust's main aim is to provide local services where possible.

These proposals ensure Redcar continues to have a community hospital. They will also endeavour to increase the services available, particularly outpatient and day-case appointments, while providing extra space for GP practices and rehabilitation services.

Initial plans for the facility, which will be without an accident and emergency unit, have been drawn up and a preferred site has been chosen.

Building work should start in July 2006, with completion by summer of 2007. Work between now and July 2006 will focus on designing the building and choosing a partner to finance and build it.

Meetings have been arranged for residents to discuss the development. The first is due today, for invited residents only, when the preferred site will be revealed.

Sue Cook, clinical leader on Stead's general unit, said: "This redevelopment will be such a welcome boost to providing the highest quality health care in what will be an ultra-modern hospital."