A CAMPAIGN to keep a doctors’ surgery in Dedham has been described as a triumph for the village.

The 99-year, rent-free lease for Dedham Vale Community Health Centre, has been handed over to nearby Ardleigh Practice this month, marking the end more than a decade of a community association fighting for healthcare in the village.

The Dedham Vale Community Health Association was set up in 2002 after villagers were faced with a five-mile journey on the A12 to East Bergholt for their nearest doctors' surgery.

Colne Housing agreed that if villagers could obtain the £200,000 funding, it would build a surgery.

The building, named Dedham Vale Community Health Centre, opened in Manningtree Road in 2007.

But by 2009, despite efforts to find GPs to work there, the building was unused.

John Osborn Dedham Vale Community Health Association director, said: “It is time for us to bow out. We are re-assigning the lease. Our job is finished. This is a triumph of people from the village who came together and created something that nearly didn’t happen.”

The original 99-year, rent-free lease was re-assigned to Ardleigh Practice on May 1, while Colne Housing will continue as landlords.