The two Northern Ireland contractors will work on the Mersey Care Development Programme, which involves investment of more than £100m in five sites.

It will ultimately give patients the latest standards offering single sex accommodation in single bedrooms with their own bathroom, located in modern, fit-for-purpose buildings.

In Liverpool, the works will be located at Walton Hospital, the former Ian Skelly site and Mossley Hill Hospital.

New facilities will also be built at Sefton Health Park and  Southport General Infirmary.