TELEVISION pensioner Jarvis Skelton took a break from his Emmerdale duties to formally open a £3.5m housing scheme for the elderly.

Actor Richard Moore travelled to Knaresborough to do the honours at the Hill View Manor.

In the popular Yorkshire TV soap Richard plays Jarvis Skelton, who has just retired from his job as a refuse collector.

But the actor proved he's a long way from retirement himself by taking time out from his busy schedule to open the 40-apartment complex.

The project has been financed equally in a partnership deal between the Hanover Housing Association, Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

Older people are able to live independently but with care on hand 24 hours to provide the help and support tailored to residents needs.

Many of the residents at Hill View Manor formerly lived in the Manor Grange older persons' home, which previously occupied the site.

The county's executive member for community services, Chris Metcalfe, said: "Older people in Knaresborough now have access to cutting-edge care services and I am sure they will enjoy living at Hill View Manor.

"Most people would prefer to live their own lives in their own homes.

"This provides the very best of both worlds."