CONSTRUCTION of a new cancer care centre in Lanarkshire will get under way next week.

Work on the building of the new Maggie's Centre at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie will begin on Monday, with the centre due to open early next year.

Maggie's Lanarkshire boss, Lorrie Forsyth, said: "For building work to be starting on the new permanent Maggie's Centre for Lanarkshire on the grounds of Monklands Hospital is incredibly exciting and I hope staff and visitors to the hospital will feel a great sense of anticipation as they see the building come to life before their eyes.

"Our interim centre at Wishaw General has been a wonderful way of introducing the people of Lanarkshire to the unique programme of support Maggie's has to offer to people with cancer, their friends and families.

"The new purpose-built centre, situated close to where many people receive their cancer treatment, will mean we are able to provide a wider range of support to a great many more people."

Marion Mark, general manager for cancer services at NHS Lanarkshire, said: "The new permanent centre at Monklands will be a key milestone for Maggie's and Lanarkshire as a whole.

"We expect the new centre will take shape very quickly and we hope visitors to the hospital will bear with us while this work is ongoing."