WORKERS have held a 'topping out' ceremony at the site of a £6.5 million care home in Ferndown.

A team from Care UK and construction partner Pennyfarthing Homes held the event to mark the latest construction milestone in the project.

Town mayor Councillor Mike Parkes placed the final tile on the roof of the new Ferndown Manor home at Golf Links Road.

Up to 120 new jobs will be created when the care home is fully commissioned.

The first residents will be welcomed in January 2017.

Gary Renton, construction project manager for Care UK, said: “As the latest addition to a growing portfolio of residential care homes, this new development represents a major investment for Care UK.

"When complete, the three-storey, purpose-built care home will boost the provision of quality residential care for up to 75 older people, as well as creating jobs for local people.

“We take a great pride in the build quality, layout and design of each individual care home – not least because these are all very important factors which can greatly impact the everyday experiences of those living in a care environment."

Andy Follett, construction manager at New Milton based Pennyfarthing Homes, added: “As regional developers, this is the first care home project Pennyfarthing Homes have embarked upon and we could not have asked for a more cohesive approach from Care UK."

The new care home in Ferndown will incorporate space for hobby and leisure activities.

The building will feature individual suites with a dedicated lounge or dining room. Each bedroom will have an en-suite wet room, flat screen television and 24-hour nurse call system.