A £1.8 million state-of-the-art residential centre for disabled people will be the first of its kind to be built in Warrington.

Disability charity Leonard Cheshire says the 25-bed unit is almost certain to be built on an earmarked site off Stocks Lane, Penketh, and could be open as early as September next year.

The scheme, which will be run jointly with Grovesnor Housing Association, was announced at Disability Awareness Day on Sunday.

Leonard Cheshire's Regional Director John Winkler said: "This will be the first specialised centre catering for the needs of disabled people in Warrington. At the moment, people are having to travel as far afield as York to receive care.

"It will serve both as a nursing home for people aged from 19 to 65 with a wide range of quite serious disabilities and as a centre for respite care, so that people can visit on short breaks."

Residents would be well-placed to play an active part in the community and would also benefit from the nearby St Paul's Church, which is developing a new neighbourhood centre with computer, games and arts facilities, he said.

To build the centre, Grovesnor Housing Association must raise £400,000 toward the final cost.

The scheme will operate in conjunction with Warrington Social Services and voluntary groups from throughout Warrington.

A planning application will soon be submitted to Warrington Borough Council.

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