REDDITCH Mayor Mark Shurmer celebrated the start of a new development to build 17 bungalows for the over 60s in Lakeside on Saturday.

Mr Shurmer performed a turf-cutting ceremony to launch Redditch Co-operative Homes' latest success story - its fifth housing co-operative and the first to be specially created for people over 60.

The bungalows are due to be completed in late November and will be occupied by members of Bredon Co-operative, a group recruited last year which has been heavily involved in the design of the new buildings.

On completion, the co-operative will take over the management of their own homes.

Councillor Ken Somner, chairman of Redditch Co-operative Homes, said: "I am delighted that this top-quality development for the over 60s is finally under way.

"The future residents have had unprecedented levels of involvement in the design and the people who move into this scheme will also free up much- needed family housing for the council.

"This really is a win-win project."

Redditch Co-operative Homes was formed by Redditch Council, Accord Housing Association and Birmingham Co-operative Housing Services (BCHS) Ltd as a solution to the borough's need for affordable housing.

It is also the largest new co-operative housing development in the UK.