Doctors are pushing ahead with plans to move an NHS walk-in centre to a hospital.

More than 600 people signed a petition protesting at the proposed move of the walk-in centre from Pinfold Gate, Loughborough, to the hospital in Epinal Way.

However, the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland primary care trust (PCT) backed the plan on Thursday.

Doctors from West Leicestershire clinical commissioning group, which will run services from April next year, said the move would improve care for patients.

Dr Nick Willmott, from the group, said: "Moving the service will give better access to diagnostic facilities such as blood analysis and scans and access to X-rays in the evening and weekends.

"We hope to provide observation bays which will help to avoid unnecessary admissions to hospital."

Catherine Griffiths, chief executive of the PCT, said it also wanted to see an improvement in patient access to their GPs.

North Charnwood GP Edward Clode-Baker said work was under way to make sure surgeries were able to give more same-day appointments.

Another concern raised by patients and PCT directors was parking capacity for vehicles when the centre moved.

Toby Sanders, managing director of the clinical commissioning group, said it planned to provide at least 40 and possibly up to 100 extra parking spaces.

A total of 47,500 patients with minor injuries and illnesses were seen at the walk-in centre between April 2010 and March last year.

The estimated cost of relocation, including expanding car parking will be £1.5 million.

Mr Sanders said: "The relocation is likely to take place towards the end of the year.

"This will allow us time to run a campaign raising awareness.

"We have committed ourselves to working with GP practices to improve access, to make sure the public can get appointments when they need them."