The opening of a new multi-million pound healthcare site has been delayed due to theft of copper piping.

Brymbo-based Read Construction Ltd began work on the newly anticipated site in January 2017, and residents were eager for the £5m integrated health and social care centre on Earl Street to open its doors in March this year.

The state-of-the-art building, which is set to include facilities for district nurses, health visitors and school nurses, community dental and midwife facilities, GP services, blood sampling services, and diabetic care and screening, is nearing completion.

But the grand opening of the centre has been postponed due to the "shocking" theft of copper pipes from the building in January.

Flint Councillor Ian Roberts said: "The Primary Health Centre was scheduled to open mid-March and I believe it has been postponed to April. It is a very unfortunate incident that the launch will have to be delayed for both practitioners and patients.

"Unfortunately, there was not an enhanced level of security on a building which is almost complete. I am sure whoever is in charge will have put in the right measures to prevent this from happening again."

Contractors are currently reapplying the piping to the site, forcing it to remain off-limits to eager patients and residents who said they are desperate for more health care in the area following the closure of the former Community Hospital, on Old London Road, which was once a “vital part of the community”.

Flint resident Valerie Nevitt said: "It's shocking - especially as we have no hospital and outdated doctors practises. The town keeps growing with no facilities."

The new Flint Health Centre, which is one of three integrated health and social care centres being developed by the health board in North Wales, aims to continue a range of services previously available in Flint and will fall under Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board's ownership once it has been officially opened as a practice.

Cllr Roberts added: "Along with the rest of the town, I eagerly await the launch. This incident should not deduct the fact that the people of Flint will receive an immensely better facility in the near future."

The Leader approached the health board and Read Construction Ltd for comment.