The official opening of Tenby's new Cottage Hospital on Monday marked a joyous and proud day' for the town, said campaigner Mansel Thomas.

Mr Thomas, the chairman of the Local Implementation Group which has worked with the Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust and the Pembrokeshire Local Health Board on the development of the £4.1million building, described it as "a wonderful facility for the 21st century, while carrying on the traditions of the old hospital, yet thrusting forward to the future".

Ten years earlier, the community had begun its fight for the retention of the services at the old Tenby Cottage Hospital and eventually, the Welsh Assembly listened to the arguments and provided funding for the building.

"The development of this facility is down to the tenacity, hard work, faith and vision of a large number of people - particularly the Hospital Friends chairman Pat Wright, who has been steadfast in seeing the project through," said Mr Thomas.

With the announcement that day that the contract had been signed for the hospital's ten NHS beds in the private sector, the work of the Local Implementation Group could now be considered to be done, he added.

Trust chairman Lynette George said there were "high expectations" of the services that would be provided from the new building.

"The facility is very much needed," she said. "At the open day in March, more than 600 people attended, which gives an indication of the level of local interest."

She welcomed Welsh Assembly health minister, Dr Brian Gibbons, who unveiled a slate plaque in the foyer of the building.

"The challenge in Pembrokeshire is to make sure that people have access to the best quality services which, wherever possible, are close to their home," he said. He described the facility as "absolutely tremendous, and a great tribute to everybody involved - not least the valuable input of the people of Tenby".

Dr Gibbons was later able to see many aspects of the new hospital facility at work, including x-ray, minor injuries and consultant clinics and the day care centre.

There he chatted to ladies who are regular visitors to the centre, including 71-year-old Mrs Lorna Parker of Tenby, who attends five days a week.

"It's wonderful here we do light exercises, quizzes and crosswords and the staff take us for little walks. They certainly keep us busy," she said.

Local AM Christine Gwyther said: "This really is a red letter day for Tenby a day many of us thought would never happen.

"A lot of people have worked long and hard to make this a reality, and as a result, we now have a top class, 21st century model of care."

q See story and picture on page five of this issue.