Work to build the UK’s only centre dedicated to helping physically disabled children is to start in Shropshire next month.

The multi-million pound centre for children with mobility problems will be built at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District Hospital NHS Trust (RJAH) near Oswestry.

The Torch Centre will be dedicated to the comprehensive assessment of children with mobility problems, particularly children with cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy as well as hereditary muscle and nerve disorders.

There will be an emphasis on families, help, research and knowledge.

After a fundraising effort which has generated more than £3 million, building work is now scheduled to start on the centre in February with completion expected in spring 2008.

A contractor has been appointed for the construction phase of the project and work to clear the site will start in under a month.

Appeal director Gwilym Owen today said he was thrilled the project was now in a position to move forward.

“I am absolutely delighted that we are now able to make real progress with developing a world class centre for helping children with mobility problems. My thanks go to everyone who has made such an huge effort in raising money and I would urge them to continue their efforts as the project is expected to cost a total of £3.8 million.”

The appeal is expecting to receive a boost when a team of runners take part in the London Marathon in April.

The hospital has a long-standing reputation in the management of children with physical disability. Acting chief executive David James said: “The Torch project offers a unique opportunity for the Trust to remain at the forefront of paediatric healthcare provision.

“The overall objective is to develop the first dedicated paediatric rehabilitation centre in the NHS with an integrated facility combining patient care with clinical and scientific research.”