A NORTH-EAST health care centre has announced it is to pump £4m into a 20-bed psychiatric unit.

Trees Park Healthcare, near Teesside Airport, will create 120 jobs over a four-year period as part of its plans to expand its psychiatric facilities.

The new unit will be based at its Sycamore site, and will deal with problems such as stress-related illness, mental illness, mood disorder and eating disorders.

The unit will accept referrals from the NHS, through bed shortages or the need for specialist help. It will also provide a service for NHS professionals requiring discreet care.

The clinical team will be led by consultant psychiatrist, Professor Steve Martin, who will be assisted by ten qualified nurses and ten support workers.

Chief executive of Trees Park Healthcare, Arthur Robinson, said: "Since the acquisition of Trees Park by Affinity Healthcare, in April 2000, a lot of money has been invested in both the existing services and in the development of new services.

"The unit will offer the very best in both care and facilities and is a further demonstration of Affinity Healthcare's commitment in the North-East."