Work finally started this week on a new extension to Helston Community Hospital’s car park.

The Benney family, who farm land adjacent to the hospital, has donated the land to the hospital for “a very, very small amount.”

It will extend the hospital’s car park by another 51 spaces, effectively doubling its capacity.

Linda McHale, matron at Helston Community Hospital, described it as “absolutely wonderful,” adding: “Obviously the services delivered from Helston Hospital are increasing all the time so they will soon be filled, I’m sure.”

She added: “It’s been a long journey, this car park. There’s been lots of different issues that have come up about it.

“It was stipulated in the contract that it will never be a fee paying car park for the public, it will always be a free car park.”

The project was officially launched on Monday with a ‘ground breaking ceremony,’ attended by members of the hospital’s League of Friends. The work is expected to take around five weeks to complete, which will be followed by an opening ceremony.