A MAJOR renovation of almshouses in the centre of High Bentham has left residents and trustees delighted.

Collingwood Terrace was originally built in the 18th century using funds left in the will of William Collingwood, who died aged just 31, in 1726.

The funds were to be used to 'go towards the purchase of some convenient house or place in Upper Bentham as a hospital'.

And, they were to be for 12 old people - six men and six women, all of who were to be given six shillings a week, provided they were members of the Church of England.

The 'Collingwood Hospital' was established, later becoming known as the almshouses, and now as Collingwood Terrace.

The homes underwent extensive improvements in 1900 and over the next 100 years, had porches added and alterations made to the bathrooms.

In the late 1990s, the trustees carried out further refurbishment, which led to the original 12 homes being reduced to nine. New bathrooms and kitchens were fitted and work carried out on the communal gardens.

More recently, kitchens have once again been upgraded, but only when residents have been happy to cope with the upheaval.

Clive Story, chairman of the trustees said it had been evident for some time that there was insufficient storage capacity for the residents especially for taller items like brushes and ironing boards.

"The bathrooms had become somewhat outdated and the showers were difficult for the residents to use with some safety issues identified. The trustees therefore embarked on a further major improvement programme, commissioning the installation of new porches with substantial storage space built in," he said.

Residents were given the opportunity to move out for two weeks for the work to take place, and five agreed.

Both residents and trustees were delighted with the improvements, said Mr Story.

"We would like to express our sincere thanks to the residents for their cooperation and to all the contractors concerned; they have been a pleasure to work with and the end result clearly reflects high standards of workmanship."

Work to the remaining homes will be upgraded to the same level as soon as possible.