UP to 60 new jobs could be created in Heckmondwike with the development of a new care home on the old Station Hotel site in the middle of the town.

Work has just begun on clearing the site of the old hotel, a faded landmark in the centre of the town for many years.

The home, being developed by Avery Healthcare, one of the top care home developers in the country, will provide residential places for 45 elderly people when it opens at the end of summer 2008.

The home will feature state of the art facilities and amenities for its elderly residents and provide the kind of care and provision not widely seen in the area.

Recruitment will start next spring with a wide variety of jobs being available.

“The new home will be very close to the centre of Heckmondwike which itself will be of advantage to residents,” said Avery Healthcare chief executive officer John Strowbridge.

“Avery always aims to provide first class facilities for its residents and our UK-wide reputation is testament to this.”