STOURBRIDGE'S state-of-the-art new Lion Health centre was given a royal seal of approval this afternoon (Wednesday) when it was officially opened by HRH Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester.

He unveiled two plaques to mark the occasion - one of which highlights the site's heritage as the birthplace of the Stourbridge Lion - the first train to run on tracks in America in 1829.

The Duke said: "We're so lucky in this country to have so many great buildings - but when they become crumbling old buildings, then nobody knows what to do with them. But it's a privilege to be part of this historic building."

Situated on the former Foster and Rastrick foundry site in Lowndes Road, the £8million surgery serves around 26,500 patients, boasts 28 consulting rooms and has its own pharmacy and dental surgery.

The surgery is an amalgamation of Worcester Street, Meriden Avenue and Greenfield Avenue GP practices and long-serving partner Dr Steve Mann said: "It's a dream come true. It's taken us a long time to get here, but it's been an exciting journey.

"The surgery has been seven years in the planning and took a total of 18 months to build.

"Previously we were working out of five different buildings, but now we've been able to bring everyone together on one site. There's nothing bigger than this in the West Midlands.

"The building is superb and a wonderful testimony to our forefathers. I believe it will become a real asset to the people of Stourbridge."