A newspaper’s relentless campaign to secure a new hospital for the region has ended in victory.

Health secretary Alan Milburn has announced that, following the Stoke Sentinel’s efforts, work will begin on the new facility next year.

The paper began its campaign in November after it was revealed that the Government had the cash to build 18 new hospitals but had received 24 applications.

A petition signed by 20,000 readers was delivered to Mr Milburn’s office by Sentinel editor Sean Dooley along with a dossier explaining why the area needed a new hospital.

Now the health secretary has committed £224m to building a new facility and the people of North Staffordhsire are delighted.

The Sentinel said: “When we launched this campaign, we said this was a rare opportunity to influence an issue on which our own lives and the lives of our grandchildren may depend.

“We shall soon have a hospital to be proud of – let’s work now to ensure that before too long we have public transport, education and housing to match it.”

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