CORKS were popping at a Worcester nursing home during special celebrations to mark the official opening of new accommodation.

Development at Stanfield Nursing Home in Upper Wick Lane has seen seven new resident bedrooms, a multi-purpose sitting area and a safe enclosed sensory garden.

Richard White, who has owned Stanfield for 28 years, explained: "The new extension has been added on to the original building, which is mainly Georgian and dates back to 1540. The multi-purpose sitting area is a beautiful, large, light room which greatly enhances the atmosphere and environment of the home. It is already being used for a variety of activities; musical events, local theatre groups putting on plays and it has a large screen for watching movies. It gives the residents another alternative out of the many communal rooms for sitting throughout the day and gives them an opportunity to look out on and experience the beautiful garden.

"The addition of another sensory garden, which contain a greenhouse, raised planters and a variety of plants, allows the residents to enjoy the outside space. It has been built with the residents in mind, so they can move around it easily and safely."

The accommodation was opened by Don Briant, whose wife Joyce has been living in the home for the past 12 years, and Mrs Iris Jordan, whose husband Ron lived in the home for more than six years.

A special cake was baked for the event and a champagne toast marked the opening. A silver plaque was presented to mark the occasion and is to be erected in the new accommodation.