Their move comes after Nottinghamshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) announced it wants people's views on plans to set up a new health centre in the county after the Government handed funds to every PCT to commission a state-of-the-art GP-led centre.

East Mansfield ward members Helen Holt and Chris Winterton are now encouraging residents to support them in their bid to have the new centre built in Mansfield.

Coun Holt told Chad: "The population of Mansfield has been estimated to rise by 11 per cent by 2018 and there is already a shortage of health provision in some areas of East Mansfield.

"By placing the new centre in Mansfield the PCT will be placing it in the part of the county that will bring most benefits to the local population."

The health centre would be open 8am–8pm every day of the week and every day of the year and would have at least one GP and one nurse available all day.

Said Coun Winterton: "One of the key responsibilities of the PCT is to improve the health of the population by tackling health inequalities.

"Some areas of Mansfield like Bellamy Road, Oak Tree Lane and Forest Town are where needs are greatest and have our greatest health inequalities".

Councillors Holt and Winterton will be available each Friday morning throughout May from 10am until noon at County Contact on Regent Street and want folk to call in to get involved in the consultation and sign a petition calling for the centre to be built in Mansfield.