By SARAH HARKER

THE new entrance at Warrington Hospital was officially opened this week by Norman Banner, chairman of the hospital trust board.

Worth £3 million, the extension hasn't cost the NHS a penny since it was built by the developer who rented out the shops on the site.

The entrance provides a focal point to the hospital and is in a more prominent position opposite the main road. It features an up-to-date pharmacy, a food court for visitors and staff, and a variety of shops.

The food court seats approximately 180 people and includes a restaurant, pizzeria and sandwich bar.

Mr Banner said: "The new entrance takes the hospital into the 21st century and is in keeping with other areas which have been modernised with the latest equipment and technology."

The new entrance also features a newsagents, convenience store with an ATM cash machine, and a gift and jewellery store run by WRVS volunteers. Another shop selling clothing, flowers and plants is set to open later this month.

Building work on the new entrance started at the end of 1999 and the first phase of the project, a new pharmacy, was completed last March.

There is also a separate counselling room adjacent to the waiting area, enabling staff to provide patients with a more detailed explanation about their medication.

The creation of the new entrance means that patients brought into the hospital by ambulance will have greater privacy.

Project manager Ron Patterson said: "We have worked very closely with the developers, Gentian, to ensure that all work was carried out with the minimum of disruption to staff and patients.

"We would like to thank everyone for their co-operation during the building process."