A massive £143 million project to overhaul hospital services in mid-Essex has got the green light from the Government.

Chelmsford's Broomfield Hospital has got the go-ahead for the revamp to transform services for patients.

Facilities will include a new A&E department, day unit, theatres and a maternity unit. The project will also unite special care baby and maternity units, which are currently split across two sites.

The Broomfield project is one of seven across the UK to get the green light. It has been on hold while the Government reviewed controversial PFI initiatives.

The scheme has been scaled down from an original £190 million proposal.

But hospital bosses at Broomfield today said they were thrilled the project had finally got the go-ahead.