The Albion Mill site in Great Harwood, once earmarked to house a NHS centre, is to be demolished, health bosses have announced.

East Lancashire Primary Care Trust has confirmed that this will will rule out the option of retaining any part of the existing structure for refurbishment.

Demolition is due to begin in January and is expected to be completed by March.

The Accrington Observer reported last week how NHS bosses have discontinued plans for a new multi-million pound community health centre on the Albion Mill site.

The plan had been given the green light in 2008 with the aim of bringing "facilities and services fit for the 21st century" into the heart of the town.

The state-of-the-art health centre would have been built at the site on Water Street, next to the existing Dr Royle Great Harwood Health Centre.

However at a board meeting NHS East claimed the proposals were "no longer affordable" in the current economic climate.

A spokeswoman for East Lancashire PCT said: "We recognise that the unoccupied mill represents a health and safety risk.

"It was always the intention of the PCT to have a clear site before commencing with any future work. The site will begin to be cleared in January 2011 with completion by March 2011.

"We are looking at various alternatives for the site and will be actively engaging with the public and local stakeholders to come up with an affordable solution that meets the needs of residents locally."

Residents in Great Harwood have previously urged the PCT to push ahead with the demolition before Christmas, but it is understand that this has not been possible due to the availability of the demolition contractors.

The Albion Mill site has become a major source of concern for local residents with fears over security and health and safety.

The PCT has confirmed that over the next six months they will be examining the options available to them in terms of establishing suitable facilities in Great Harwood.

Albion Mill was constructed in 1855 by David Mercer and Brothers and by 1906 housed 664 looms and employed over 200 staff.

The PCT bought the site in 2008. East Lancs PCT will now consider a range of options including building a less costly health centre on the site or selling the land to property developers.

One of the options under consideration is the possibility of a less costly replacement development on the mill site.

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said: "I will be working alongside local residents to find a suitable use for the site."