WORK has begun to allow a north Essex mental health charity to move into a former GP surgery in Colchester.

Colchester Mind, which helps 3,500 Colchester and Tendring residents every year, has bought the old doctor’s surgery in Mersea Road, which closed two years ago when staff relocated to a new site in Ypres Road.

Yesterday, builders Ingleton Wood and Beardwell Construction began a 12 week project to bring the building up to scratch.

Chief executive James McQuiggan said the “modern space” would allow the charity’s 45 staff to help the rising number of people seeking help from the charity.

See Monday's Gazette for more.