A WINCHESTER care home is being expanded as part of a £3m+ county council project.

The council is refurbishing Westholme Care Home in Harestock Road, Winchester, building six bedrooms to bring the home’s total to 40 bedrooms for nursing care and 33 for residential care.

The bedrooms in the extension will have en suite bathrooms. A new dining room and lounge is also planned along with a replacement boiler.

Work is expected to start during summer 2013 and be completed by spring 2014.

The project follows the council’s decision to close three care homes last year, including Cornerways in Kings Worthy, with Westholme and Oakridge Care Home in Basingstoke expanded to accommodate the displaced residents.

Cllr Ken Thornber, council leader and executive member for policy and resources said: "We have to ensure the care we provide is fit for the future and it is good news that older people in Basingstoke and Winchester will soon have access to more high quality care close to home.

"This is also another good example of how our reserves are put to one-off uses to fund the cost of restructuring and transforming the way that services are delivered." Both sites will remain open during the works.