WORK has started on a village's ambitious community centre and sheltered accommodation development.

Madeley's village hall and scout hut are being demolished to make way for a 63-apartment extra care scheme and a new community facility.

Once the centre is completed at the end of next year, it will include a hall capable of seating 200 people, as well as a cafe, IT and library facilities.

The building will act as a base for a range of community services.

It will also be accessible from the extra care scheme, being built by Housing 21, which will enable over-55s to live independently, while having access to care and support services when needed.

The project is a unique community-led partnership between Staffordshire County Council, Housing 21, Newcastle Borough Council, Madeley Parish Council and steering group the Madeley Community Development Group.

County Councillor for Newcastle Rural Frank Chapman said: "This is a wonderful example of partnership working driven by the community.

"The start of the construction is the culmination of many years of effort by the steering group and they are to be congratulated on reaching this stage."

Roger Goodwin, development group chairman, said: "I wouldn't be surprised if a scheme of this size is not only unique in Staffordshire, but in the West Midlands too.

"We're delighted that at last a very complex project has really begun."

Funding for the project has come from the Big Lottery Fund as well as the parish, borough, and county councils.