15283/2A TRADITIONAL topping-out ceremony was held at the new Savernake Hospital in Marlborough last Tuesday as the final piece of roofing was fixed in place.

Ron Crook, acting chairman of the Kennet and North Wilts Primary Care Trust, ceremoniously fastened the last piece of aluminium in place.

He was joined on the roof by representatives from the developers and builders AMEC.

The £9 million hospital is being developed through a private finance initiative partnership between the PCT and Chiltern Securities.

Work on creating the wards and other rooms inside the building is well-advanced, said Denis Bridges, the new hospital project director, and the new hospital should be completed by the end of May.

The building stands at the side of the original 19th century hospital buildings. The Grade II listed buildings are being refurbished for a variety of purposes.

These will include a base for community teams for mental health and integrated health and social care, for district nurses and a mental health outpatients department.