Birmingham and Black Country Strategic Health Authority said with deficits in both areas, it is up to any new board to decide on future spending.

The building project is a partnership between Shropshire Ambulance Service and the county's primary care trusts.

An ambulance service spokesman said it was disappointed at the decision.

Ambulance service chiefs had hoped to move to the new building at Emstry Business Park near Shrewsbury by April.

They are currently based next to Shire Hall on Abbey Foregate in the town.

'Operational soon'

The spokesman said the outline business case has received approval together with planning permission for the new state-of-the-art centre.

"Everyone connected with this project recognises the crucial importance this new building will have in the modernisation of health services in Shropshire," he said.

The strategic health authority said a consultation on proposals to have one ambulance trust for the West Midlands ends on 22 March.

If there is to be a single ambulance trust, it could be operational by July.

"The authority has therefore taken the decision to put plans for the proposed urgent care coordination centre in Shrewsbury on hold," a spokeswoman said.