Some much-needed new facilities have been unveiled at a Lowestoft care home.

Residents of The Dell residential care home have been enjoying an extended and refurbished lounge area, which was opened just in time for Christmas.

Deputy mayor Peter Knight visited the care home in Cotmer Road to cut the ribbon and officially unveil the new facilities.

Speaking at the opening, director Farooq Patel – of Wellbeing Care Limited – said: 'We decided that the lounge at The Dell was in need of refurbishment and bringing up to date.

'So we set about opening up the lounge area to create more space for our 40 residents. We have completely redecorated the room, added new furniture and new flooring and a new fireplace. The room also has new sensory, mode lighting which changes colour.

'Overall we are delighted with what has been achieved, as it now looks welcoming and more homely as well as being dementia friendly,' Mr Patel added.

'We have invested tens of thousands in the improvement to this facility but it has been worth it when you see the reaction from the residents as their eyes light up.

'One lady who had previously isolated herself and would not come out of her room now comes and uses the new lounge and socialises with other residents.'

To celebrate the opening of the lounge, residents welcomed some donkeys onto the site to give them a sensory experience.

Mr Patel said: 'Many miss their own pet that they used to have at home and although we have a cat, it is nice for the residents to see animals that perhaps they would not normally see because they are indoors - so we bring the animals in to meet them.

'The residents have also been entertained by carol singers and for the opening we invited Smart Radio DJ John West and Katherine Nicholls, a finalist in the alternative model of the year, to lead some community singing.'

The care home team also thanked Paul and Kim from Central England Co-operative who donated the Christmas tree.