A £220 million redevelopment of St Helier Hospital has been finally approved by the Treasury.

Health Minister Mike O'Brien announced the sign off at the hospital this afternoon.

Sutton Council gave their seal of approval to Epsom and St Helier Trust’s proposals earlier this month after years of campaigning by local MPs.

But the redevelopment could not go ahead until the Treasury and Department of Health granted approval.

At the announcement today was St Helier chief executive Samantha Jones and Mitcham and Morden Siobhain McDonagh.

Mr O'Brien said: "My arm has been twisted up my back by Siobhan Siobhain McDonagh's constant badgering as well as Tom Brake and Paul Burstow.

"This is evidenced that a local MP can make a difference.

"So today I can announce the treasury has cleared £219 million and I'm delighted this has finally been cleared.

"The Health Service is not good enough. It was in a bad state ten years ago and we have gone to a good health service, but it needs to be great service."

Plans for the rebuild include demolishing a large part of the hospital and replacing it with a state-of-the-art building which will house the majority of the hospital’s wards and clinics.

The new building will include 346 beds, with more than 50 per cent being in single rooms.

In addition, nearly £40 million will be spent on upgrading the remainder of the site, including those wards which will not be moved into the new building.

There will also be a new central pharmacy and decked car park.

More to come.