PENSIONERS had their shovels and hardhats at the ready on Friday when they officially turned the first sod at the new Ryfields Village site.

The visitors joined council chiefs and representatives from Grosvenor Housing Association and Extracare Charitable Trust, the project's three main partners, at Rylands Recreation Ground, Gorsey Lane, which has been earmarked for the development. Mayor Sheila Woodyatt braved the frosty ground to make the first cut.

The village, which will be completed in 2002, will provide homes for more than 300 people in bungalows and flats. It will also include a restaurant and bar, village hall and shop, fitness studio, hairdressing salon and library.