A £3M plan to bring a hospital into the 21st Century has been given the go-ahead.

Work can now get under way on bringing all the facilities at Malton Hospital under one roof for the first time.

The main alterations will be to the old-fashioned Fitz-william Ward, which will be transformed into a modern hospital ward with private rooms and en-suite facilities.

There will also be a special care facility for occupational therapists, a new relatives' room for overnight stays, a single-storey extension for minor injuries and outpatients, and a small single-storey extension to create a storage area for the physiotherapy exercise room.

Ryedale District Council's planning committee considered the plans, which have been put forward by Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust (PCT).

Councillors gave their backing to the proposals - a decision which has delighted PCT chief executive Michael Whitworth.

He said: "It is splendid news for Malton and the whole of Ryedale. It will bring the hospital and its facilities into the 21st Century, ensuring its viability and success."

Jill Knight, vice-chairwoman of the district Patients' Forum, also welcomed the decision. She said: "This is a major upgrade for the hospital and a wonderful opportunity. It is a very important endorsement of the value of the hospital."

Further discussions are to be held between planning officers, the PCT and the Health and Safety Executive over the siting of a 1,000-litre liquid oxygen store in the hospital grounds.

A number of residents have voiced concerns about the tank, saying it could be an explosion risk.