WHEN the Duchess of Gloucester yesterday pressed the button to activate a radio clock at the new St James Gardens almshouse complex in Devizes, she signalled the end of a 12-year struggle to build the new homes for elderly and disabled people.

Devizes Alsmhouse Charity, set up in 1904, had the opportunity to increase its housing for older people when the former St James Hospital for geriatric patients was bulldozed in the late 1980s.

Chris Bush, chairman of the charity during most of the development period, said: "We contacted the appropriate health authority to confirm that land was becoming available and we advised them of our interest in purchasing one acre. After many months and numerous letters we were offered two acres with the price being negotiated with the district valuer.

"This process took from November 1991 to March 1996."

As the charity had virtually exhausted its cash reserves by buying the land, it applied to the National Lottery for financial support. In March 1998 it heard its application had been unsuccessful so it was back to the drawing board to re-examine the options and consult with residents and other interested parties, including Kennet District Council.

Mr Bush said: "After much deliberating we arrived at a scheme which included a meeting hall, assisted showers, assisted bathing, laundry room, kitchen, toilets, warden's accommodation and six units of accommodation, all within one building.

"In addition, three blocks of three bungalows, eight of them two-bedroomed, were included in our scheme."

As this scheme could be housed on one acre of the land, the charity agreed to sell off the other half of the site. By doing this and selling off three bungalows the charity owned at another site, it managed to finance the scheme, with the help of accumulated funds, a bequest and a bank loan.

At last, on April 8 2002 work began on the site. The first block of three bungalows was ready for occupation on October 14 2002 and the last of the bungalows together with the community hall and its facilities were completed in June this year, the last home being occupied on October 28.

The £2.3 million development is the jewel in the crown of the charity, which owns six commercial properties in the centre of Devizes in addition to its almshouses at St James Gardens and neighbouring Sedgefield Gardens.

Mr Bush said: "It is a dream come true for us. It is everything we wanted and more. The completion of the project has given us all a wonderful feeling of achievement and the visit by Her Grace is the cherry on top of the cake.

"It is just what the town of Devizes needed and I hope the people of the town will agree that it is an asset to it."