A DEAL to provide five-star development for the elderly has been signed by health chiefs in a bid to replace services that were axed when Bishopstoke's popular Mount Hospital closed last year.

Health bosses had said The Mount - which primarily cared for older patients - was past its sell-by date, incapable of providing modern medical care and in need of £1.7m repairs.

Despite a long-running battle by local campaigners, the last patients were transferred to Winchester's Royal Hampshire County Hospital in September.

Now, Eastleigh and South Valley South Primary Care Trust has signed an agreement with leading Hampshire care charity Brendoncare to provide new inpatient beds and a rehabilitation centre at a brand new facility in Valley Park, Chandler's Ford, which should be ready by September next year.

Controversial plans to build a state-of-the-art nursing home - complete with licensed restaurant, gym, hairdresser, on-site physiotherapy suite and library with IT facilities - at the corner of Shannon Way and Knightwood Road were approved by Test Valley Council only last month.

Plans for the development will go on show at the PCT's annual public meeting at the Wells Place Centre in Eastleigh at 6.30 this evening.

Last year, consultation about replacement facilities for The Mount revealed they wanted an extended community rehabilitation service, together with an inpatient facility within three miles of Eastleigh plus a fully integrated rehabilitation centre.

A PCT spokesman said: "That's exactly what they will get under the new plans which will provide up to 20 inpatient beds in the new Brendoncare Knightwood facility and an on-site fitness centre for the rehabilitation of patients who are recovering from illness or injury."

Brendoncare is also building 37 two-bed care apartments and bungalows in addition to the facilities for patients from the Eastleigh and Test Valley South area who will have access to the facilities.

Brendoncare's chief executive, Ron Staker, commented: "This collaborative partnership will provide the older people of the local area with a very special service."