WORK to transform a former North Yorkshire residential home into a specially-designed estate for elderly people is due to start next week.

The £3 million project to build 38 one-bedroom flats and two two-bedroom flats - known as extraCare units - on the site of Manor Grange Elderly Persons' Home, in Knaresborough, will begin on Monday.

The project is being financed equally by Hanover Housing Association, Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

Each specially-designed flat will have its own kitchen and bathroom and all flats will be linked to an intercom alarm system.

There will also be communal lounge facilities, as well as a shop and hairdresser on site.

It is hoped that older people living locally will be able to use some of the facilities.

Teresa Snaith, service development manager for Hanover Housing Association, said: "extraCare provides the opportunity for people to live independently, whilst receiving a level of care appropriate to meet their needs.

"This level of care is flexible and can be adapted to meet any changes in the care required without the need for a resident to necessarily move.

"In some cases, a move to extraCare can result in those needs decreasing as residents are encouraged and helped to live as independently as possible."

More than 20 residents of Manor Grange were re-located to Pannal Grange in Harrogate and many of them are expected to move into the new flats on completion in September 2004, leaving about 20 extra spaces for new residents.

Rosemary Archer, director of social services for North Yorkshire County Council, said: "I'm delighted that the project to provide extraCare units, which North Yorkshire Council has supported from the outset, is now under way.

"I'm sure that these properties will provide a valuable local service for many years to come."

A new name for the development will be announced on Monday following a competition among former residents of Manor Grange.

Updated: 09:47 Friday, April 25, 2003