Matthew Taylor, the Liberal Democrat MP for Truro and St Austell has welcomed the start of work on The Knowledge Spa at the Royal Cornwall Hospital.

He believesit will lead to greater investment into the Truro economy and a major increase in jobs.

It is anticipated that the Knowledge Spa development, which is to be a centre of medical excellence in the county, as well as offering assistance to health-related businesses, will attract approximately £30 million into Cornwall within around 5-10 years of its opening. In addition to this, the development is expected to attract over 400 jobs to the area.

"This substantial investment is very welcome, and will create many opportunities for people within the county. The Knowledge Spa's facilities will provide a first class service for the people of Cornwall, and I am very hopeful that this development will bring added benefits in conjunction with the Peninsula Medical School. It should also be viewed as a great boost to the health profession in Cornwall, particularly with regard to the recruitment and retention of staff," said the MP.

"I have no doubt that this development will make an enormous contribution to the future prosperity of Cornwall, and I particularly welcome the support that has been demonstrated for the project by the South West Regional Development Agency and the Objective One Programme for Cornwall. It is good to see a number of agencies working so well together for the benefit of Cornish people."