BLUE Peter star Valerie Singleton opened a special £6.5million housing scheme in North Dorset yesterday that allows pensioners to stay independent for longer.

Trailway Court, in Blandford, has 40 one and two bedroom, extra care apartments for elderly people who wish to continue to live on their own, but have the assurance that, if needed, help is close at hand. Property management and development company Synergy Housing revealed that the development, designed for over 60s in North Dorset with care needs, is one of three they have recently completed in the region.

A similar scheme in Poole, at Delphis Court, will be opened officially at the end of the month.

Valerie Singleton OBE, who now lives near Sherborne, in Dorset, has a keen interest in supporting initiatives for the elderly and is involved in the development of a computer specifically aimed at older people called Simplicity. “There has been a lot of news recently about care and the ageing population, which has emphasised that most of us want to stay in our own homes as we get older,” the presenter said.

“Here at Synergy Housing’s Trailway Court people can live in their own homes, but also have their care and support needs met when needed.”

Each self-contained apartment includes a fitted kitchen, video entry system, walk-in shower, as well as pull cords and personal pendants linked to a care line so that the care team can be alerted in an emergency. Dorset County Council adult and community services are providing planned care and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week for residents at the site.

Synergy Housing’s Director of Business Development Amanda Williams, said: “We were keen to encourage a sense of community spirit within this development, so although each apartment has its own fitted kitchen, we have also created a country-style community kitchen, as well as a community dining room and lounge.”