FORMER NHS sites in Warrington will be sold off as part of a deal to provide more affordable homes.

The sites at Winwick Farm and Winwick Social Club are two of more than 100 sites across the country to be sold in the deal.

The land will be used for new houses, one third of which will be affordable housing.

Announcing the decision the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, said: "This deal shows our determination to deliver more affordable homes where they are needed most, especially for key workers and young families.

"It will unlock major brown field sites, secure more than 15,000 new homes, and kick start regeneration as part of a comprehensive programme to create thriving and sustainable communities across all regions of England."

Money raised from the sale of the sites will be re-invested into the NHS.

Health Secretary John Reid said: "This will benefit the NHS in two ways at the same time. An injection of cash, and a valuable contribution to the provision of key worker accommodation in the areas where it is needed most.

"We currently have the biggest hospital building programme in the history of the NHS, but some of our land is genuinely surplus and for which there is no established long term NHS need. The receipts from the transfer will be transferred to the NHS and used to fund buildings and equipment."

The agreement follows a decision by the Department of Health not to pursue a public private partnership for the one off sale of the retained NHS estate.