BROADMOOR Hospital contains some of the country’s most notorious criminals, but last week it played host to the town MP.

Dr Phillip Lee MP visited Broadmoor Hospital, former home of criminals such as Ronnie Kray and Charles Bronson, to check out the facilities.

The Crowthorne based hospital has new features, such as work benches, that have been built by the patients currently in care, whilst they along with their families have contributed artwork around the hospital.

Dr Lee said: “Broadmoor Hospital rightly has a world-class reputation in the area of mental health research. The fact that a patient’s average stay is has been reduced to just six years is a testament to their groundbreaking work.

“The original hospital was built 150 years ago as part of a step-change in the treatment of the mentally ill within the criminal justice system. This new facility builds upon that legacy and I am sure will keep this country at the forefront of such therapies for decades to come.”

Chief executive of the West London Mental Health Trust, Carolyn Regan, gave Dr Lee the guided tour of the facilities.

Mrs Regan said: “The new Broadmoor Hospital will greatly enhance the care and treatment we provide to some of the most mentally unwell patients we see. It will provide a world leading and thoughtfully designed space for staff to work in and a safe and secure environment for treatment of some of the most vulnerable people in society.

“We hope that once open, local people will be proud to have such a fantastic hospital on their doorstep.”