A SCHEME to build homes for elderly Devizes people will begin welcoming its first residents next month.

The £2.25million development, by the Devizes Almshouses Charity, includes 15 almshouses, a hall, assisted bathing facilities, a laundry room and warden's accommodation.

The development off Victoria Road, called St James Gardens, is on the site of St James' Hospital, which was demolished in 1988.

The Devizes Almshouses Charity already owns 48 almshouses, the majority in the vicinity of the former hospital.

The charity's chairman, Christopher Bush, said: "When the site of St James' Hospital became vacant some of the trustees thought it was a golden opportunity to secure some land."

It took the charity eight years to acquire the land and since then it has been working to deliver a scheme.

An application for National Lottery funding in 1997 was turned down and so the charity sought a private developer to build ten bungalows on the site .

The bungalows will be on sale for people aged over 55.

Mr Bush said the charity was oversubscribed with people wanting to move into the almshouses.

He said: "We charge a low rent and the homes are for needy people over 60."