A series of exhibitions to explain how health chiefs plan to spend £18m on a new-look Friarage Hospital, at Northallerton, starts this week.

The South Tees Hospital Trust has secured the money for the project and has drawn up a two-phase redevelopment package.

The display, outlining the proposals, will travel to libraries around the Hambleton and Richmondshire area over the next few weeks.

It aims to give members of the public a chance to see the plans in detail.

The first exhibition will be at the Northallerton Library between 10.30am and 12.30pm on Friday.

Others follow at Bedale between 2pm and 4pm, on Tuesday, October 21; at Catterick, between 1pm and 3pm on Wednesday, October 22; at Richmond, between 1pm and 3pm on Monday, October 27; at Thirsk, between 10am and noon on Tuesday, October 28; at Colburn between 10am and noon on Thursday, October 30; and at Leyburn between 2pm and 4pm, also on Thursday, October 30.

Staff from the trust will be available to provide information or answer any questions people have about the development.

Further details are also available by contacting hospital manager John Gibb on (01609) 762510.