A PARTY to celebrate the start of long-awaited work at Homefield School will take place next week with invited guests and local organisations.

Bournemouth-based company Quantum is organising the event to symbolise the beginning of the work to transform the rundown and dilapidated site in Winkton, near Burton.

It will be held at the former private school on Friday May 11 from 4pm.

Guests have been sent invitations and Quantum hope local residents as well as Burton Parish Council, Winkton Residents’ Association and the Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr Sue Spittle will attend.

Henry Lumby from Quantum Lifecare, said: “Seeing the demolition start is an important milestone for the fresh start for Homefield.

“We hope to be investing tens of millions of pounds in Christchurch so this is an important step for us and for the local community.

“We want to get on with work as quickly as possible and replace this site with something better for the local area.”

The former private school, which closed in 2005, nearly £1million in debt, will be turned into a 64-bedroom care home with 29 independent age-restricted living units.

Planning permission was unanimously granted in January by Christchurch Borough Council.

Residents have been plagued over the years with vandalism and other incidents at the site.