More than £7.5 million Welsh Assembly Government funding will be invested in a project that will pave the way for a major re-development of Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth, Health Minister Edwina Hart has announced.

The funding will be used to demolish old workshops and stores at the hospital, the development of new on and off-site car parks and the refurbishment of Cadwaladr Ward.

This will enable work on the major development of a new accident and emergency department, clinical decision unit, a new maternity ward, new operating theatres and improvements to the outpatients department to start once the final business case has been approved.

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The Assembly Government has earmarked a total of more than £40 million for the full project.

Ms Hart said: "This significant investment from the Welsh Assembly Government demonstrates our long-term commitment to the hospital.

"The current accident and emergency facilities are no longer fit-for-purpose. The work that gets under way will clear the way so that once the full business case for the re-development is approved, work can begin soon after. I expect to receive the full business case in March 2010.

"Measures are in place to minimise any disruption to the hospital during the demolition and construction of the new facilities."

(CD/BMcC)