A NEW centre has been opened which brings 21-st century standards of care to older people living in a remote rural area.

The £3.6m Abbeyfield Esk Moors Lodge is a new extra care project at Castleton, near Whitby, that was officially opened this week.

It has twelve one and two-bedroom flats and allows older local people to continue to live independent lives, in their own communities, but with full support for their essential needs.

It has been developed by the charity Abbeyfield with financial support from North Yorkshire County Council and Scarborough Borough Council, as well as numerous charitable funders.

It is also the centrepiece of an innovative advance in the way isolated communities care for their elderly. From the site local charity Esk Moors Caring operates care services for older people throughout the valley.

The Bradbury Centre is the community centre at the heart of Esk Moors Lodge and is open to everyone in the local area. Every day, Esk Moors Caring offer fitness classes, craft workshops, talks and many other events which many local residents take part in.

The county’s executive member for adult and community services, Coun Chris Metcalfe, said: "Esk Moors Lodge is a realisation of North Yorkshire County Council’s vision for the future provision of care for older people.

"The twelve flats allow older people to live independently in their own homes and most importantly with this development, they can remain in their local community."

Abbeyfield chief executive Paul Allen said: "I am thrilled that Abbeyfield is part of the wide ranging co-operation that has led to this marvellous facility, Esk Moors Lodge and the Bradbury Centre.

"It is an excellent example of our aim at Abbeyfield which is to provide local affordable housing with support and care for older people."