AN INDEPENDENT report has provided a boost to an innovative sheltered housing scheme which opened a year ago.

The Anchor Trust's St Germain's Grange, at Vicarage Drive, Marske, was designed to allow old people to live independently while still receiving on-site care.

The concept has been hailed a success and today, a special coffee morning is being held to celebrate.

It has also been revealed that an independent report has found that residents in the scheme's 31 flats have shown a marked improvement in their health and well-being.

Links with Upsall Hall Centre, at Nunthorpe, will also be celebrated today and a giant card created by four Upsall Hall Centre users will be handed to St Germain's Grange staff.

Councillor Pat Harford, of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: "What has happened since we commissioned the Anchor Trust to run this facility has exceeded all our expectations."