A "state of the art" £500K breast care centre is opening its doors next month.

The Elm Breast Care Centre at King George Hospital in Goodmayes will offer women what the Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals trust (BHRUT) describes as "a calming environment and purpose-built facilities for assessment and treatment".

Opening on May 19, it will house four consulting rooms, three ultrasound rooms, two mammography rooms and counselling facilities as well as office space.

There will also be additional x-ray space so the centre can expand with the needs of the local population.

Specialist breast surgery in the east London boroughs of Barking, Havering and Redbridge was centralised at King George in 2011.

The trust, still in special measures, said patients were involved at every stage of the "state of the art" design, including picking the furnishings and artwork to create a welcoming environment.

Divisional manager for cancer, Seeni Naidu, said: “The centre has been designed by and for our patients, and will provide all the services they need under one roof.”