A major new centre for people with mental health problems is finally opening its doors after years of planning.

The first patients will arrive at the Meadowfield unit in Worthing this weekend.

The £7.3 million purpose-built unit is based in the grounds of the Worthing Priority Care NHS Trust headquarters and will replace Homefield, the existing town centre unit.

Homefield was too cramped and unsuitable to provide modern health care services and struggled to meet Government health standards.

The new unit provides 48 beds in three wards and each patient has their own separate room with en suite facilities.

At Homefield, six patients shared one dormitory with curtains dividing them and bathroom facilities were also shared.

Trust chief executive Richard Congdon said: "There is so much more scope here than at Homefield. Patients are able to have much more privacy, which is important for their sense of worth and esteem.

"We have done what we can to make the place more home-like and welcoming, which will help speed up a patient's recovery.

"We are very excited about this project and are delighted it is finally finished and we are able to move in."

Patients also have access to large grounds and gardens, lounges, day areas, quiet rooms and a gym.

The League of Friends of Worthing Hospitals has set up a cafe and shop in the unit.

There are more than 120 pieces of artwork on display throughout the building, with a picture in each patients' room.

Many of the pieces have been produced by mental health patients in the Worthing locality and others by local artists.

The pictures will be replaced during the next year by artwork done by patients during activity sessions at the unit.

Meadowfield is a key part in the trust's plans to provide local, modern, mental healthcare and was developed in conjunction with Homefield staff, patients and carers.

The unit will offer short-term therapeutic care, with an average stay per patient of six weeks.

There will be far greater space in the new development, with an allocation of 72sqm per patient in Meadowfield compared to 32sqm per patient at Homefield.

Project director Chris Bowman said: "We wanted to get away from the image of an old fashioned mental health place with long, narrow corridors.

"Our corridors are much shorter and there is a space and light in the wards to help us get away from an institutionalised feel."

The trust treats about 7,100 people a year for mental health problems, who come from areas in and around Worthing, Shoreham, Littlehampton, Henfield and Steyning.

The old Homefield unit, based in the grounds of Worthing Hospital, will be given to Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust, which will use it for outpatient services.