RESIDENTS have buried a time capsule in celebration of their refurbished homes in Yate.

The homeowners at Prinknash Court donated items to go in the time capsule which was created to mark the completion of the building’s £750,000 modernisation.

Nearly 50 people attended the event to see residents bury personal photos and memories in a capsule.

90-year-old resident Claudine Mathieux, who has lived at Prinknash for over 25 years, cut a ribbon and declared the major refurbishment “officially complete”.

Merlin’s project manager David Milner said: “Our customers have been fully involved right from the start and I’d like to thank them for bearing with us and putting up with the disruption while we completed the work.

“We thought it fitting that we bury a time capsule to celebrate the event. It will be something for the future to commemorate the work we have done.”

The refurbishment of the building involved reducing 19 flats and bedsits to 15 one and two bed flats to give residents more living space.

One of the two bedroom flats has been specially designed to make it suitable for disabled residents. Baths in all the flats were replaced with wet rooms, a scooter store was created and windows and doors were upgraded.

Resident Michael Cliss said: "I moved in about a month ago and I love it here, I'm very happy. I was living in a first floor flat with no lift before and as my mobility has decreased I was finding it more and more difficult to get out and about. Living here means I can get around more easily."

The scheme has resulted in the building being made more energy efficient by improving insulation and installing a new heating system. The work means the scheme now has at least a further thirty years of life.

Resident Reg Evans moved in three weeks ago, he said: “Before I was living in a three bed bungalow. I was worried about the transition but I like it here."

His daughter Carole added: “I was caring for Dad while he was in his bungalow but worried because he was vulnerable there. He was forgetting to lock his property and I was concerned for his safety.

“Now he's here I know he's got an emergency cord and that people are around when he needs them. It's given me peace of mind now I know he's safe and secure."

Prinknash Court is the first Merlin scheme to be remodelled under its £15 million investment programme to update its older people’s housing.

The building was identified as in need of improvement under Merlin’s sheltered stock review three years ago.

Ware Court in Winterbourne, Buckingham in Filton and Langdale Court in Patchway will all be addressed soon as part of the scheme.