Liverpool FC and England captain Steven Gerrard went back to his roots to help launch a new project that will provide much-needed new homes.

The Reds star was on hand to mark the start of work at Bluebell Park in his home town of Huyton in Knowsley, a project that will provide 101 new homes for rent to over 55s that need extra care and support to live independently, along with an additional 21 apartments for older persons shared ownership.

The £14.4m development, driven by Knowsley Housing Trust, part of the First Ark Group, in partnership with Knowsley Council, will be built on the site of the former Wingate Towers flats by contractor Bullock Construction.

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It will comprise of one and two bedroom apartments designed to Lifetime Homes standards and will be completed in Autumn 2014.

Steven was brought up in Huyton and was pleased to return and support this important project that will invest in the future of the town. He said: "Huyton is where it all began for me and a lot of my family and friends live there so I am still there quite a bit. It's great to see they are improving the area, and this will create many more jobs for people locally as well."

To help provide lower utility bills 10 per cent of the energy source for the homes at Bluebell Park will come from renewable energy through Combined Heat and Power (CHP) boilers which capture and re-use the heat produced in day to day electricity usage.

Communal facilities will include a restaurant and lounge areas, as well as a hairdresser, activity and hobby rooms and a guest bedroom. In addition, care and support facilities will include assisted bathrooms, a laundry and well-designed outdoor spaces.

The project has received a £2.6million grant from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

(CD)