A NEW £250,000 independent training unit for young mentally handicapped children was opened by the Bishop of Blackburn.

The Rt Rev Alan Chesters unveiled a plaque to declare the three four-bedroomed flats at The Homestead, Whalley New Road, open. He also paid tribute to the work of the Blackburn and District Children's Homes management committee.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.