Three of Brighton and Hove's busiest doctors' practices are planning to move into a new super-surgery.

The GPs, who between them treat almost 30,000 people, want to work beneath one roof in a converted six-storey block at 175, Preston Road, Brighton.

They say their present surgeries in Beaconsfield Villas, Highcroft Villas and Stanford Avenue are out-dated, cramped and offer no scope for expansion.

Each practice will have its own treatment space and another floor will be used to provide room for chiropody, physiotherapy, minor surgery, counselling and midwifery.

The site, within a mile of all three surgeries, has staff and patient parking and easy access for all patients, including the elderly and disabled.

The scheme has been drawn up in partnership with Brighton and Hove City Primary Care Trust (PCT) and developer Prime.

The buildings used by the practices at the moment are converted family homes which are not suitable for modern care and create difficult working environments for staff.

Immi Gandhi, a service planner at Prime, said the problems facing Brighton GPs were not unusual.

He said: "The GPs in Brighton are not alone in battling with old converted residential buildings that are not fit for their purpose.

"We see this problem all across the country as GPs keen to base themselves in their community cannot find any other form of accommodation.

"The challenge in Brighton is land is at such a premium it was difficult to find good alternative sites.

"We are very lucky with Preston Road as it offers many benefits as a site."

Ruth Field, practice manager at The Surgery at Beaconsfield Villas, said: "We have been so desperate for space at the practice we have been forced to expand up into the roof and now use three rooms in the loft."

David Drew, practice manager at Stanford Medical Centre, said: "Everyone is very excited by the prospect."

Chris Naylor, the PCT's primary care development manager said: "This will help us bring more care services into the community under one roof."

A planning application for a change of use for the building is expected to be sent to Brighton and Hove City Council by the end of the month.