Celebrations have been held to mark the official opening of a new Derbyshire extra care development.

Waltham House in St John's Road, Wirksworth, was officially opened by Derbyshire County Council chair Councillor Joyce Sanders on Wednesday 25 March.

The £5.8 million development has been built in partnership between the county council, housing and care provider Housing 21, the Department of Health, Derbyshire Dales District Council and the Wirksworth Care Centre Project.

It is made up of 39 one and two bed apartments for people aged over 55 years, which can be rented, bought outright or on a shared ownership basis.

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As part of the scheme, the grade 11 listed Waltham House has been carefully restored to make five of the apartments, with the others being developed in a new building formed around a central courtyard.

As well as new homes on the site, there are also purpose-built communal facilities including a restaurant which is open to the public, social care services and space available for activities for residents and the wider community.

Extra care is an alternative to sheltered accommodation and residential care for older people living in Wirksworth and the surrounding areas who want to remain independent and living in their own homes but may need some extra support.

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for adult social services Councillor Dave Allen said: "The county council is fully behind extra care schemes as they extend choices for older people who want to remain independent and live in their own homes but may need extra support now or in the future."

(CD/JM)