Plans have been submitted to transform the library in Runcorn town centre into a health and education hub with café, meeting rooms and facilities which could be used by health students from Riverside College.

The project would see the existing library service move into a redesigned Brindley Theatre, which itself is set for a £6.6m upgrade.

Designs have this week been submitted to Halton Borough Council's planning department for the change of use of the building on Granville Street in the Old Town. The proposed new site would include an education hub with café, meeting rooms and multi-purpose use rooms and would be intended to broaden the range of services available to include health, well-being and training.

The proposed hub is an initiative from NHS Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals Trust which would also provide education space, in partnership with Riverside College, for students studying health courses.

A planning statement submitted in support of the scheme, said: "The change of use of the site has the intention to re-utilise a prominent building in the town centre of Runcorn that will benefit a range of residents with critical services in a central, accessible location."

It added: "The proposed development aims to revitalise an existing building in the heart of Runcorn Town Centre and bring it into active use by providing important services in s suitable, accessible location."

"The health and education hub will become a hub for community and well-being in the town centre and bring residents and visitors to the town centre."

The existing library services moved into the old Market Hall in 2012 but is set to be moved again to the newly-redesigned Brindley.

The theatre looks set to be reconfigured as part of a wider £23.6m redevelopment of Runcorn Town Centre which was rubber-stamped as part of the Government’s Towns Deal.