A time capsule dating back a century has been discovered by builders working on the new Bingley Health Centre.

The find was revealed as the £13 million centre at Kingsway was handed over to NHS Bradford and Airedale today.

It was discovered by builders moving a memorial stone from the existing Bingley Hospital to the new site.

The capsule’s contents include accounts from Bingley Hospital, coins and an edition of the Telegraph & Argus’s sister paper, the Keighley News, dated Saturday, July 22, 1911.

Ian Stickler, the project manager who found it, said: “It was just a lucky coincidence that we dug up the time capsule. It’s quite a strange feeling to know the last time the time capsule was seen was 98 years ago. It was obvious that time and effort went into the thought process all those years ago to produce and place such a time capsule.

“And as such it deserves to be treated with respect when considering how the contents are to be displayed for all to see in the new facility.”

Development of the new Canalside healthcare centre started on May 29 last year and has been completed on time.

It will become the new home of Bingley Medical Practice and Springfield Surgery and services from the existing Bingley Hospital, which will be put up for sale.

It has been developed by Bradford and Airedale Care Partnerships Limited (LIFTCo) and built by Carillion. GP services will be on the ground floor of the two-story centre, with access to a 105-space car park.

There will be two separate receptions and self-care areas to include equipment such as blood pressure and weight monitoring and access to health promotion information.

There will also be an on-site pharmacy.

It is hoped patients will benefit from reduced waiting times, more hospital services and longer opening hours. The upper floor will accommodate district nurses, health visitors, mental health teams, physiotherapy, orthotics, contraception advice and sexual health, podiatry, minor surgery and a range of consultant services.

New consultant-led services planned for the future include ophthalmology (eyes) and audiology (ears).

A patient user group has been involved and at its request a community café has been provided.

Pam Essler, non-executive director of NHS Bradford and Airedale and chairman of the patient user group, said: “I am delighted that after many years of planning and hard work this project has now been completed and the results are fantastic.

The health centre will open to patients on February 1 with a formal opening ceremony planned for April.