PATIENTS worried about the future of their doctor's practice can rest assured that it is to remain open.

The Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Primary Care Trust is to take over the running of the branch surgery at 155, Wigan Road, Leigh, on June 21.

A spokesman said: "There will not be any disruption to the practice but specific details of the surgery ie which GP will be at the surgery and what services we will be providing have not been finalised yet."

The surgery is an offshoot of the Market Street Medical Centre, Market Street, Hindley, a practice with eight doctors, which has been at the same site for over 100 years.

Cllr Myra Whiteside said she had been contacted by concerned patients who had heard that the branch was to close, but others had heard rumours that the PCT was to take it over.

She said: "This is information that the patients need to know."

A spokesperson at the Wigan Road surgery referred the matter to the practice manager at the Hindley Centre who in turn declined to comment.