A date has been set for the reopening of a doctors' surgery closed for a prolonged refurbishment due to asbestos.

In late 2017 the North Weald branch of the Limes Medical Centre in Epping was closed for upgrades.

Part funded by the Limes Partnership and NHS England, the project was delayed when a contractor discovered asbestos at the Wheelers Farm Gardens site.

Although a reopening date was never set at the beginning of the project, the "complex" work required to clear the asbestos caused significant delays.

In November Debbie Bodhanya, managing partner at the Limes Medical Centre, said the surgery would be reopened in December.

While this deadline was not met, the practice has scheduled in a soft opening for the second or third week of February.

Late last year Mrs Bodhanya said: “We are very keen to have our site in North Weald open.

"We are grateful to NHS England and the CCG for their support during what has been a small, but complex process and project.

"We also appreciate the support that we have received from the North Weald Council and our patients.

"What is needed in North Weald is a new medical centre to cope with the population expansion, however, we have done our best to invest and maximise the space at Wheelers Farm Gardens so we can continue to deliver a high quality service to patients."