MORE THAN £900,000 is to be spent on Bishop's Waltham House residential home.

Hampshire County Council has stumped up the cash to improve current facilities and to meet the future care needs of residents.

Bishop's Waltham House, based in Free Street, will be refurbished internally and facilities upgraded to offer 36 high quality places.

The council says people in Hampshire are living for longer with more complex needs.

The Office for National Statistics has predicted that in 2008 the county's over 65s will total 224,000, and by 2025 that figure will have risen to 322,000.

The number of over 85s will total 31,000 in 2008, rising to 52,000 in 2025.

By revamping Bishop's Waltham House the council says it will be offering care for those who require residential care and require high level support.

The general refurbishment will include additional lounge/visitor spaces, enlarged and improved bathroom facilities and toilet facilities and redecorating and re-carpeting the home.

Additional work will replace ground and first floor internal ceilings for fire safety purposes along with installing a sprinkler system and a new call system for the home. Enabling works will include creating a hairdressing and medical room and staff facilities.

Executive member for adult services Councillor Felicity Hindson said: "Hampshire County Council has recognised that we need to ensure that the care provided meets the future needs of people across Hampshire."