A pioneering £4m integrated health centre has opened its doors in Cullompton, east Devon.

The state-of-the-art Culm Valley Centre for Health is a partnership between Devon Primary Care Trust and the town's College Surgery Partnership.

Under the scheme many health professionals in the town have been brought together under one roof.

Sally Slade, director of health and social care delivery at Devon Primary Care Trust, said people in the Culm Valley would benefit from the closer working arrangements the new centre would bring.

"The new centre brings a range of health and social services together under one roof to provide an integrated service," she said.

"The approach is very much in the forefront of national NHS policy and we are pleased to be opening such an innovative centre in the heart of rural Devon.

Sally Slade, Devon Primary Care Trust: "The new centre brings a range of health and social services together under one roof to provide an integrated service."

"It promises to bring about continuing healthcare improvements in the area for many years to come."

The centre opened to patients on February 26, when district nursing, health visiting, midwifery, physiotherapy and chiropody services were made available from the new site.

GP services will be available from March 3.

The centre has more than 15 consulting rooms, relaxing gardens and a small organic fruit and vegetable garden, emphasising the importance of healthy eating.

It also boasts independent complementary therapy services, a pharmacy and a health food café.

According to the Devon Primary Care Trust, it is the first time that so many healthcare professionals have worked so closely together under one roof in the town.

Dr Andy Smith, of the College Surgery Partnership, said there were many benefits to this.

"Patients will be able to call in to see their GP, then, for example visit the physiotherapist or pick up their prescription," he said.

"If they had time they might even have a cup of herbal tea and a light bite at the health café.

"It's a modern integrated approach that builds the kinds of services that are needed around the patient, and we are really pleased to be playing such a big part such an innovative project."

People are invited to look around the centre on March 8.