The centre, which could offer non-emergency surgical procedures and house a dentist and pharmacy, will be built within close reach of the city's most income-deprived wards, including Central, Dogsthorpe and North.

And the centre could be open seven days a week, from 8am to 8pm, enabling people who work during the day to access a GP.

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Peterborough Primary Care Trust (PCT) has announced plans for the centre in response to a Government report led by surgeon and Parliamentary under-secretary in the Department of Health Lord Darzi.

Among a package of proposals, Lord Darzi recommended that 150 PCTs across the country set up GP-run health centres to improve access to GP treatment and advice.

The interim report on the Our NHS, Our Future review sets out Lord Darzi's vision for an NHS "which will deliver effective, higher quality services that are safe, personalised to individual needs, and equally available to all".

Speaking at a Peterborough City Council health and adult social care scrutiny panel meeting, Roger Evans, from Peterborough PCT, said potential service providers would be challenged to come up with an "innovative" facility.

He said: "It will revolutionise the way primary and social care is provided in Peterborough."

The GP-led centre would improve choice for patients and go some way to addressing the health inequalities that currently exist in Peterborough.

In the city's most income-deprived wards, life expectancy is up to four years shorter than wealthier areas, while a Government health check last year revealed that one in four Peterborough adults were obese.

Panel member Cllr Keith Sharp said: "It is a very good idea in principle, but it is important that you start talking to patients as well as GPs to get feedback."

Following the meeting, a PCT spokesman said: "Peterborough PCT sent its initial specification to the NHS East of England at the end of February, which has been agreed.

"The PCT will be now working to procure the new GP-led health centre over the coming months. It is anticipated the centre will open by March 2009."