GLUSBURN'S newly-opened specialist care centre Malsis Hall has played host to the chairman of Craven Council.

Councillor Paul Whitaker toured the facility and met management and staff as they welcomed their first service users.

The centre, run by Enhanced Community Health Options Group (ECHO), is in the former Malsis School, which closed in 2014.

It provides recovery and rehabilitation for people with mental health conditions, encouraging them to develop social contacts in the area in order to aid their recovery.

Lisa Gardner, service director at Malsis Hall, said: “It was a pleasure to show Cllr Whitaker the service we have created at Malsis Hall, of which we are rightly proud.

“We are delighted that it’s now opened and the first people have been admitted. We are also ready for local residents to come along and visit us, to make use of our meeting rooms and sports pitches.

“Creating 130 jobs for people in the region has been a significant achievement and we are starting to become a real part of our local community, which has always been the objective.”

Cllr Whitaker said: “What a wonderful opportunity for the people to be supported in this care centre which aids recovery and independence, and for the local community to come together in this sympathetically restored Grade ll listed building set in such beautiful surroundings.”