A VILLAGE health centre at risk of closure is to get a stay of execution.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) have rejected proposals to close Gresford Health Centre.

It follows a series of packed public meetings earlier this year with residents fearing they were to lose the service.

Alyn Family Doctors, which runs the practice, may appeal, but the health centre is staying open for now.

There were fears Gresford Health Centre it would close when Alyn Family Doctors announced in April that they planned to transfer services based there to their other surgeries in Llay and Rossett.

But the health board has now rejected the proposal and confirmed this in writing to Wrexham's Assembly Member.

The confirmation has been welcomed by those across the political spectrum who have campaigned to keep a surgery in Gresford - though Alyn Family Doctors have indicated their intention to appeal the decision.

Lesley Griffiths AM and Ian Lucas MP have been in close contact with constituents concerned by the possible closure and will continue to liaise with all parties.

Earlier this year, they wrote to the health board and also held meetings with BCUHB officials where they made it clear that Gresford needed its own surgery.

Public meetings were also organised by Gresford County Cllr Andrew Atkinson and Marford and Hoseley County Cllr Russell Gilmartin where residents expressed their desire to keep the health centre.

Ms Griffiths, Assembly Member for Wrexham, said: “Gresford is a popular and expanding area of Wrexham and, as a result, both Ian Lucas MP and I firmly believed a GP service should remain in the village.

“After contacting local residents and the Welsh Government and meeting with Alyn Family Doctors and the health board, I am grateful for their positive dialogue and believe this outcome will be welcomed by the community.

“Moving forward, it is important local residents from Gresford and across Wrexham receive the best possible services and I will continue to work with relevant partners to help ensure this happens.”

Mr Lucas, MP for Wrexham, added: “Both myself and Lesley Griffiths made it clear that we could not countenance a situation where a GPs’ surgery closed in such an important part of Wrexham. The Gresford community was united on this and I think we made a strong case to the health board.

“I am pleased that, through positive dialogue with the health board, this outcome has been reached. However, this is a difficult and complex process and there is still work to be done. Both Lesley Griffiths and myself will continue to liaise with all relevant parties on this matter.”

BCUHB's decision not to accept Alyn Family Doctors' proposal to close the Gresford Health Centre was confirmed in a letter sent to Ms Griffiths this week by the health board's chief executive, Gary Doherty.

Gresford Councillor Andrew Atkinson said: "Thank you so very much to everyone that has helped continue to make this case and to all of the residents of Gresford, Marford and surrounding villages that supported our campaign, (Marford) Cllr Russell Gilmartin and I are very grateful.

"I will be back in touch with the health board to see how the practice can be assisted on the current site. Neither Cllr Gilmartin nor myself have ever supported these plans but we know that the practice do need help and support from the health board to ensure a viable practice for now and into the future.

!There is still a lot of work to do but we are delighted with the decision and thank the health board for listening to us, engaging with us and taking our residents concerns seriously."