THE new Okehampton Community Hospital will be officially launched today (Thursday) as the town ushers in a new era in health care.

Dr Paul Nielson, who has spearheaded the campaign to provide a new hospital for Okehampton, said he was excited the dream had become a reality.

?I am very excited. I think the people of our area will be very pleased when they see the new hospital.?

?It is going to be a relief. It has been incredibly exhausting,? he added.

The hospital will actually open over the weekend of May 30-31. A second, bigger launch event after the hospital is up and running is also planned for next year.

Dr Nielson said the Japanese gardeners who were creating a unique healing garden were making good progress.

Eighteen volunteers arrived from Japan this week to work on the gardens, and will head back after the ceremony. Five professional Japanese landscape gardeners will stay on until June 15, when they hope the gardens will be completed.

Dr Nielson said there had been a tremendous response to all the fundraising initiatives to help create the hospital.

?The people of our area have been committed to this all the way down the line,? he said.

One of the biggest success stories has been the Tree for Life appeal, which has given people the opportunity to buy their own tree or shrub to be planted in the hospital grounds for £10. The Tree for Life appeal has so far raised a remarkable £5,300.

Celebrations will start at noon today, and include 100 children from across the area the hospital will serve letting more than 1,000 balloons go in a sea of colour.

The band from Okehampton College will also be playing at the launch.