STOURBRIDGE'S £8.5million state-of-the-art Lion Health centre has been nominated for two top property awards.

The building, in Bradley Road which in its former guise was the birthplace of the famous Stourbridge Lion steam engine, has been shortlisted twice in the RICS West Midlands Awards.

Lion Health has been included in both the building conservation category and the community benefit section.

The canal-side futuristic-looking super GP surgery, which also includes a pharmacy and a dental surgery, was created from the ruins of the old Foster and Rastrick foundry where the first train to run on tracks in the USA was built in 1829.

The grade II listed building was carefully revamped to reflect its history and heritage and to retain its wrought and cast iron unsupported single span roof, which was the largest in the world when it was constructed in 1820.

A total of 32 projects are among the shortlist including Birmingham Airport's runaway extension scheme and the city's Barclaycard Arena (formerly known as the NIA).

Judging will take place in May and the winners will be announced at a glitzy ceremony at Birmingham Town Hall on May 21 where TV presenter and property expert Phil Spencer will act as host.

The winners of each category will then represent the West Midlands against projects from all over the UK at the RICS Awards in London later in the year.

Lion Health partner Dr Steve Mann said: "It's a lovely old building with a long history which reflects well for Stourbridge.

"Being nominated for these awards can only help the raise the profile of the practice, the building and the NHS.

"We are situated in a bit of a back water having previously had a town centre location, so we still get people coming in and commenting on just how nice the building is."