AN ELDERLY couple forced to move because their bungalow was falling down have been allowed home for Christmas.

Pensioners Gwen and Gordon Bennett were the first couple to move back into the bungalows in Oldfield Park, Westbury, on Friday morning.

Six homes were rebuilt and refurbished after surveyors discovered severe structural problems.

The project cost West Wiltshire Housing Society £300,000.

David Oakensen, chairman, said: "In giving these 1940s homes a new lease of life with modern facilities we have also taken the opportunity to provide additional features to make them suitable for people with physical disabilities."

The housing society and Westbury town mayor Horace Prickett opened the first home on Friday.

Two more couples are moving into their refurbished homes after Christmas and the remaining three have been allocated for people on the West Wiltshire District Council housing register.

The project began in July and the housing society aims to fill the new bungalows and complete the landscaping in February.