SARSEN Housing Association has begun consulting elderly residents over the redevelopment of St Mary's House, a sheltered housing scheme in Potterne.

The building has 24 bedsits and flats and a Sarsen spokeswoman said only eight are currently occupied.

She said it was too early to say how St Mary's House, built in the 1960s, would be redeveloped. "Sarsen Housing Association is working closely with the residents to find the best possible options for them. The residents have been very understanding of the need to come up with a practical solution. No definite plans have been made."

The spokeswoman said the 15 bungalows on the site are not going to be included in any future plans.

Sarsen has redeveloped Crammer Court in Devizes into a modern sheltered housing scheme and is planning to build a total of 31 houses and flats on the site of the former Cromwell House sheltered housing scheme in Rowde.

Elizabeth James, daughter of St Mary's House resident Elizabeth Levitt, 100, said the upheaval was upsetting for residents.

Mrs James, of Great Cheverell, said: "It's a bolt out of the blue and the last thing we expected to happen. We brought my mother to St Mary's House in 1998 from Kent and we thought she would be there for the rest of her life. She is putting a brave face on it but she is very disappointed."

Mrs James said Sarsen has offered her mother, who is partially sighted, a place at Hedges House, West Lavington.