A PREFERRED buyer has been secured for an East Lothian hospital where a large fire recently broke out, NHS Lothian has confirmed.

The Courier can reveal that moves to sell Musselburgh's Edenhall Hospital are now progressing.

Serving residents for generations, the hospital closed in 2010 following NHS Lothian's decision to relocate services to the newly developed Musselburgh Primary Care Centre.

Since then, Stewart Milne was interested in the site and submitted plans for housing, but the proposals were withdrawn in 2019.

In a statement today, Morag Campbell, director of estates and facilities, NHS Lothian, said: “A fire broke out at the former Edenhall Hospital on Sunday night. Extensive damage was caused to one building at the top of the site.

READ MORE: Former Edenhall Hospital buildings badly damaged by fire

“Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland were both alerted by our 24-hour security team on site and attended.

“The hospital was last operational in 2010 before it closed and was put up for sale.

"A preferred buyer has been secured and we are working with them towards the transfer of the site."

The site was associated with the estate of the Lindsay family in the early 19th century but its future still remains uncertain in regard to what will be built on the land.