A BRAND new caravan has been officially opened at a Poole holiday park, offering low cost family holidays for disadvantaged people.

The six-berth caravan at Pine Ridge, Rockley Park comes with spectacular views towards Poole Harbour and entertainment a short distance away.

It has been provided by the Holiday Homes Trust and has been specially adapted to take wheelchairs.

"We have been on the site since 1988 and this is the third caravan we have had here," said Roger Hurrion, chairman of the board of trustees for the charity.

"We provide holiday accommodation on a number of sites for families and individuals who are disadvantaged. That can be physical, mental, behavioural problems, disabilities, or for economic circumstances.

"If you fit our needs, that's it. We try and make that need as wide as possible."

The trust was set up by former Scouts but no connection with the movement is required to benefit from a holiday at one of the eight sites around the country.

The large home-from-home cost £35,000 and has hoists over beds and a wet room and ramps up to the door.

A substantial donation towards its cost came from brothers Mike and Steve Daniels from Bristol, who went to Rockley Park when they were children and will be enjoying the first holiday in the new caravan.

They, along with Poole Mayor, Cllr Peter Adams, cut the ribbon to open the new era of holiday accommodation.

"I am delighted to see this charity doing something which helps people from all sections of deprivation," he said.

"I am delighted they have picked Poole for the past 27 years. I think it shows what a lovely offering we make and how welcoming we are to all people."

He said his daughter Yvonne, who has cerebral palsy, would love it. "This is very close to me," he said. "These type of facilities are very important.

"People with deprivation, physical, mental or financial, find it very difficult to get away and have a nice holiday somewhere, properly provisioned."

To get in touch with the Holiday Homes Trust call 020 8433 7290/1 or go to holidayhomestrust.org.uk.