A multi-million-pound plan to move patients at a Bradford hospital out of cramped and outdated accommodation will take a major step forward this week.

The first turf will be cut at Lynfield Mount Hospital, Bradford, tomorrow in a £4 million scheme to provide modern, purpose-built accommodation for two key services.

The new unit will provide 36 open and low-secure in-patient beds - 11 more than at present - as part of Bradford District Care Trust's forensic mental health service, which deals with offenders.

And there will be 16 separate in-patient beds for the assessment and treatment of people with learning disabilities.

The development means that for the first time the Bradford district will have specialist accommodation for women requiring low-secure care. Previously, women have had to be cared for outside the district, often outside Yorkshire, away from family and friends.

There will also be an expansion of staff and services to help the future rehabilitation of patients into the community.

Both services are being transferred from unsuitable accommodation into the new unit's bigger and better facilities.

The forensic mental health service will move from the outdated Kestrel Unit - thought to be the only facility of its kind in the country - and Osprey House, both situated at Lynfield Mount Hospital.

The additional running costs - more than £500,000 per year - generated by the 11 extra beds are being met by the four Primary Care Trusts in Bradford and Airedale, who have already voiced unanimous support for the development.

The learning-disability element of the scheme re-provides in-patient beds currently located in the cramped and remote Westwood House in the south west of the city.

The new unit will also provide higher levels of safety and security to patients and staff.

Con Egan, Chief Executive of Bradford District Care Trust, said: "We want to have first-class facilities to match the skills and expertise of our staff.

"We are committed to meeting the changing needs and growing demands of the local community. This new unit is an important step forward in improving the assessment, treatment and care of these groups of patients."

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Fran Harrop said: "By transferring services into modern purpose-built accommodation, we are confident of delivering real improvements in patient care and better quality of life.

"We particularly look forward to bringing back those people currently cared for outside the district, in particular women, so they can be with their family and friends again."