A Workington health service, launched as part of a national pilot to ease pressure on GP surgeries, has celebrated its first birthday.

Workington Primary Care Centre opened at the town's hospital on October 14 last year to provide access to GP services seven days a week.

The centre, originally called Workington Access Centre, was one of 20 pilot schemes launched across the UK as part of a project led by the Prime Minister.

Its aim was to help the town's GP surgeries, which are experiencing ongoing staff reductions due to retirement of existing doctors and difficulties recruiting replacements.

It opens from 8am to 8pm daily and handles all on-the-day appointments for the town's five GP surgeries.

Doctors from those surgeries work in the centre on a rota.

It means they can spend the rest of their time focusing on non-emergency work.

The centre also has 15 staff, including receptionists, nurses and nurse practitioners.

It continues to run the hospital's existing minor injuries unit and provides specialist services for people with chronic conditions such as diabetes and breathing problems, and for frail and elderly patients.

Since its launch the centre has dealt with 36,000 appointments and now sees about 1,000 patients a week.

It was recently visited by Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, and other leading health bosses, who were positive about its work.

Patients have also been positive about the facility.

Dr Phil Crosby, medical director of the centre, said: "I didn't think that we'd see as many people as we have or that it would work as well as it works.

"I have been pleasantly surprised. We are seeing mostly the right patients and hopefully doing a job that helps general practice in the area."

Children visiting the centre were given balloons to mark the birthday.