A new canopy and entrance have been unveiled at Airedale Hospital.

They form the initial stage of the premises’ new emergency department.

Until building work is complete, the canopy will be used by ambulances taking people to the temporary A&E unit.

Demolition of the old facilities should be complete by Christmas, and construction work proper on the new £6.3 million department will start in the New Year.

Meg Crossley, consultant in emergency medicine at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust and clinical lead for the project, said: “It’s great to see the very first parts of the new department taking shape.

“While our temporary A&E facilities are not ideal, colleagues have been great at getting on with their job and treating patients – and patients and their families have been supportive.”