A £40 million development promising 107 retirement homes has begun construction.

Richmond Villages Wood Norton retirement village, near Evesham has announced that construction has begun and will be finished in early 2019.

Once completed it will provide 107 homes for those over 55, and an additional 60 care home beds providing long and short-term care, including specialist dementia care.

The new retirement village will occupy the site of the former BBC training college, between Evesham and Pershore.

Richmond Wood Norton includes a wellness spa with swimming pool and gym, hair and beauty salon, a library, activities and IT room, café bar, restaurant, private dining and residents’ lounge, and all set within beautifully landscaped grounds, terraces and mature woodland.

Richmond Villages’ drivers will run regular scheduled shopping trips and excursions, while the activities team will ensure there is a wide choice of exciting and varied social events.

A sales and information event will take place at 10am on Saturday October 28 until 4pm at Wood Norton Hotel in Worcester Road.

“We want to give people a real flavour for what living at a Richmond Village is like, and ensure they get all the information they need across all aspects of Richmond retirement living,” said Paddy Brice, managing director.

“So rather than meeting just the sales team there will be themed areas where you can hear about all aspects of village life.

"We know from the interest at our other villages that there is an increasing demand for what we offer, and are delighted that construction is already underway.

"We very much look forward to becoming part of the community of Wood Norton and its surroundings.

“And in addition to these new homes which will help meet the growing need from the ageing sector of the community, this new village will create some 150 new jobs once fully opened."