A previously under-threat GP practice has been able to move into a temporary new home thanks to a public campaign.

The Haverthwaite GP surgery faced an uncertain future in August last year after bosses were served with an eviction notice by the property's landlord.

Read more: Haverthwaite GP surgery saved after bid to move approved | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)

A petition started by Tim Farron, the MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, was signed by more than 1,400 local residents.

This called on the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) to accept a bid from the surgery to relocate to a new premises.

Read more: Lake District GP surgery relocation plan given thumbs up | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)

The surgery has now moved into a residential property next to the A590 which has been converted into a temporary GP practice for the next three years while a new permanent surgery is built next door.

Mr Farron, who officially cut the ribbon on Wednesday, said: “I was absolutely delighted to open the new home for Haverthwaite GP Surgery.

“This was only possible because the local community and the fantastic staff at the practice were so determined to fight to make sure that residents weren’t forced out of the area to see a GP.

“I’ve been proud to get alongside them and today we see the fruits of all that hard work – patients continuing to be served by this excellent practice.”

The surgery serves nearly 3,000 patients with a wide geographical area covering patients living in western Windermere, Coniston and beyond.

Those living in Haverthwaite faced having to travel out of the village for an appointment.

Sarah Edwards, managing partner at Haverthwaite GP Surgery, said: “We are very grateful to the local community and our local MP for helping us with the long process to relocate - there was a lot of work that went into persuading the ICB that would allow us to survive.

“I also want to put on record my thanks to the Head of Primary Care, Sarah Bloy, who worked tirelessly to get our re-location through the various committee meetings and mandatory care board procedural processes.

“As a surgery rated one of the top 40 in the country out of over 6,000 surgeries nationwide, we are very grateful to have survived to be able to continue delivering excellent healthcare to our patients.”