A HAMPSHIRE community hospital has picked up a regional gong for innovation - just weeks after it opened its doors to begin a new era.

Fenwick Hospital, which reopened earlier this month after years of uncertainty, won its nominated category in the Health and Social Care Awards.

Scooping the regional prize means the centre, in Pikes Hill, Lyndhurst, will go through to the national competition to be held in July as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the NHS.

It caps a remarkable turn around for the rebranded health and well being centre, which was once threatened with closure after NHS bosses unveiled plans to close beds there and at other sites in the New Forest.

Members of the social enterprise partnership that runs the unit are delighted with the recognition the scheme has received.

Chairman George Dibben said: "Winning the regional award is a great reflection of what we have all achieved together and congratulations are due to everyone who has been involved in making Fenwick2 a reality in the centenary year of the hospital.

"In many ways we have the harder part to come now we are open and we will be drawing on all the goodwill shown so far to our project to ensure it can be successful and self sustaining in the next century of the Fenwick's life."