The announcement followed news Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Royal Preston Hospital will be in the last wave of the revised New Hospital Programme with construction expected to begin from 2035-38 and 2037-39, respectively.

The trusts said they had made the ‘difficult decision to suspend public engagement on the proposed sites', including public events and independent market research, until further notice, in light of the significant delay to the build timeframes.

A consultation on the plans will continue until Monday 27 January.

Professor Silas Nicholls, chief executive of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘Although people will be understandably disappointed about the delayed plans for a new Royal Preston Hospital, we welcome the Government's commitment to delivering the hospital albeit over a more sustainable timeframe. We will continue to work closely with all our partners and stakeholders to ensure that the need for new facilities remains high on everybody's agenda so that our communities can continue to access high quality and specialist care in an environment that truly suits their needs.'

Aaron Cummins, chief executive of University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘Any delay to the delivery of a replacement new hospital for the Royal Lancaster Infirmary is disappointing, but we accept the need for a fully costed and deliverable timeline of investment through the New Hospital Programme. Whilst this may not be the news local communities wanted, we hope that the outcome brings some certainty that patients and NHS colleagues will get the new hospital that they deserve. Getting feedback from patients, NHS staff and the public will be just as important in that process, and we will be asking for everyone's views on our proposals again at an appropriate time.'