A £3.9m care home for the elderly will be named Sunnyfield Lodge when it opens next year - thanks to pupils at a Ripon school.

Youngsters from Ripon Cathedral Primary School had been asked to submit names for the new project, being built at the city's former Ripon College site.

The home will provide care and independent living for over 55s.

Architects' drawings were taken to the school, showing how the home will look. And as well as being asked to name the building, the youngsters were also invited to design their own version of how the project will look.

After submitting a shortlist of three names, the final decision was taken by residents of Ripon House, a nearby residential home preparing to transfer to the new extra-care development on its completion.

Meanwhile, a lasting reminder of bridging the generation gap between young and old will be a selection of pupils' drawings framed for display in the new development.

Deputy headteacher Sharon Gerard said: "The children were enthused by the whole project. It's great that they will be part of something that will be around for a long time."

Sunnyfield Lodge will provide 40 one and two-bedroomed flats to rent, or on a shared ownership basis.

The project is a partnership involving North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and Hanover Housing Association.