Virgin Care has been identified as the preferred bidder for the delivery of 0-19 public health services in Lancashire after a legal challenge forced a reevaluation of the bid.

Lancashire CC awarded the contract to Virgin Care in November, but a legal challenge from Lancashire Care and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS foundation trusts forced a re-run of the procurement process.

In the new process, re-run with a new independent panel of senior experts, Virgin Care's bid was scored higher than the joint bid made by the foundation trusts, which currently provide the services.

The existing contract will continue until the end of March.