AFTER more than 80 years in a long-stay hospital, Willie Riddle, 97, is savouring life in his own home.

Mr Riddle is the first person from Monkton Hall, in Jarrow, South Tyneside, to move on to more independent living in the community. The remaining 35, aged between 27 and 83, all with learning disabilities and some with physical disabilities, too, will move out by December next year.

Mr Riddle, who will celebrate his 98th birthday next month, now lives in a bungalow in South Shields, where he has 24-hour care, and he is delighted with his new life. "I'm my own boss and I can do what I want when I want," he said.

Despite having only one arm and being in a wheelchair, he enjoys attending a local church, going into town on the bus and doing an art course at South Tyneside College's Hebburn site, where he is their oldest ever student.

The Future Services Planning Team was set up to look at different types of housing for people living at Monkton Hall.

It is made up of co-ordinator Helen Jones and occupational therapist Amanda Price, from South Tyneside Primary Care Trust, community nurse Pat McNally, from South Tyneside Health Care NHS Trust, and social worker Nick Thorburn, from South Tyneside Council.

There is also an independent advocate, Janine Ness, to support those living in the three residential units on the hospital site.

Ms Jones said: "The aim is to give them an ordinary life, where they are not isolated or segregated. All the partners in South Tyneside are committed to making this a reality for Monkton Hall residents by developing future services for them. Willie has shown that age and disability are no barrier. It is wonderful to see how much he is enjoying being in his own home."