WORK has started on the £1.5 million redevelopment of a nursing home.

The scheme includes extensions and other alterations to Currergate, in Steeton, adding 15 ensuite bedrooms.

And it's expected that more than two dozen full-time jobs will be created.

Currergate was built in 1912 for Norman Dixon Walker, owner of Dixon & Sons bobbin manufacturer and timber merchant in the village, and his wife.

It has been a nursing home since 1982.

As part of the redevelopment, a first floor and side extension will be added to the single-storey west wing, attached via a glazed link. And an existing two-storey section to the east of the building will be demolished and replaced with a three-storey extension.

Currergate presently has 34 fully-occupied rooms, and a team of more than 50 staff.

The home has been owned and run by the Czajka family for two decades.

Czajka Care Group managing director, Konrad Czajka, says: "The main aim of our exciting development is to increase the capacity of our nursing home and ensure its long-term viability.

"We believe these carefully thought through plans will also improve the appearance of the west wing by replacing the existing pink-coloured artificial stone with a more complementary natural stone, amongst several other benefits.

"Our designs are sympathetic to the appearance and special interest of Currergate and have been carefully considered at every stage. By removing the inappropriate artificial stone, we will be making the building right again and we are delighted to have started work on the project.

"This development will give our wonderful nursing home a secure and sustainable financial future as part of a significant investment into the historic building.

"We believe we will create at least 25 full-time jobs and help address the chronic shortage of beds for both private and local authority funded residents."

Currergate, in Skipton Road, provides day, respite, full-time and end-of-life care.

Mr Czajka adds: "Currergate is run by a dedicated team of experienced nurses and professional carers and is one of the few homes in the region to have been awarded the Gold Standard Framework accreditation, in recognition of its exceptionally high standards of end-of-life care. It also has an excellent infection control rating."

Currergate, rated 'good' by the Care Quality Commission, is one of several homes run by Czajka Care Group.

Work on the redevelopment is due for completion by October.