VACANT cottages at the 17th Century Sir William Turner's Hospital at Kirkleatham will be open to the public tomorrow.

Residents have also organised a garden party to be held on the front lawns, featuring traditional stalls, cakes, bottles, preserves, bric-a-brac as well as live music from resident organist and residents association chariman Joe Mullen.

A £1.6m renovation scheme is scheduled to begin at the almshouses in October. The original cottages will be enlarged, the flats remodelled and building work completely renovated.

Although no new residents will be admitted until the work is completed in 2001, a waiting list has been opened for people wishing to apply