Work is set to start on a new mosque and temple facility at Royal Bolton Hospital.

The new faith facilities have been made possible thanks to donations from the community to the Our Bolton NHS Charity and are scheduled to be ready in time for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan next year.

This will be found behind the main hospital building, which Bolton NHS Foundation Trust hopes will prove to be a significant improvement on the current faith facilities near the maternity unit.

A statement said: “We’re thrilled that [work to start] the new mosque and temple, housed behind the main hospital building, will start on Monday, November 7.

“The current facilities, situated near the hospital’s maternity unit, are not fit for purpose due to space restrictions and limitations in the rooms themselves.

“The new facilities will include separate ablution areas for male and female worshippers, and designated space to allow the congregation to worship separately, as is obligatory in the Muslim faith.

“The space will also include a community room next to the temple, which will be available for staff and patient use.”

The trust added: "Our Bolton NHS Charity supports Bolton NHS Foundation Trust by going over and above what the NHS funds, to make a lasting and meaningful difference to the people of Bolton.

"Collectively we are committed to initiatives that support the communities we care for, caring for our staff, and ensuring that we are fully reflective of our diverse population in all that we do."

The space will cost around £430,000 and is intended to help support patients and staff with their spiritual wellbeing while at work, or during their time in hospital.

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The new facilities will include separate ablution areas for male and female worshippers, and designated space to allow the congregation to worship separately, as is obligatory in the Muslim faith.

This comes alongside several major projects planned by the hospital, including plans to expand its operating theatres to help tackle surgery backlogs.

Work has also started just last week on the Bolton College of Medical Sciences on the hospital’s Minerva Road site.