A MULTI-MILLION pound scheme to redevelop a former care home began with a celebratory ceremony.

The £14million initiative to provide tailored homes for elderly people in Earlestown started on March 20 at the Sturgess Street location.

The former Larchfield Residential Care Home is to be transformed into 90 one and two-bedroomed apartments.

Providing round the clock care, the new development will give elderly people their independence with the security of available care.

Housing minister, Caroline Flint attended the celebratory launch along with residents and representatives of St Helens Council and Helena Housing Association.

The project is being supported by a £5.3million grant from the Department of Health's Extracare fund.

Plans to develop the site as affordable housing were approved with conditions in December.

One of the conditions states that only people older than 55 can live in the apartments.

A further application was submitted in January by the applicant, Steve Wood, with several alterations to the approved plans.

Lib Dem Clr Suzanne Knight, said: "It's going to be a really excellent development.

"It is also going to be really useful for people who live in the surrounding community because there is going to be a hairdressers, treatment room and a gym."

She added: "I have had phone calls from people in their 50s who are fine but they are interested in moving somewhere like this, which is in close proximity to the town centre.

"It's really going to be a well used facility in the town."

The development is expected to be completed towards the end of summer or early autumn 2009.