The move, being rolled out throughout the autumn by many local GPs, is being introduced after the Government asked for extended surgery hours to be introduced to ensure more flexible access for the public.

Although many patients were reported to be happy with daytime hours, it was felt working people and commuters would appreciate the opportunity to visit their GP outside existing hours.

Now, almost two thirds of the GPs in East Lancashire Primary Care Trust's area of Pendle, Burnley, Hyndburn, Rossendale and the Ribble Valley have signed up to the scheme, with several other surgeries yet to finalise their future intentions.

Surgeries will be introducing their extended opening hours on a gradual basis, with many beginning on Monday and others introducing their new surgery times when staffing and rota arrangements are in place.

People should contact their own surgeries to find out how the changes affect them. So far, 13 surgeries in Pendle have worked out their extended hours.