PENSIONERS in a residential home are raising their glasses to police who have helped improve their life with the gift of a bar.

The residents, who live at the Hylton View care home, in Sunderland, will soon be enjoying their new facility, thanks to Northumbria Police and the Federation Brewery.

PC Steve Hackett of the City North Task Force, Sunderland City Area Command, visits the home as part of his regular duties and was keen to help when manager Kath Knight spoke of plans to upgrade the first floor lounge and games room into their own bar.

PC Hackett said: "I contacted the Federation Brewery at Dunston and they quickly came up with the goods.

"They've offered a bar, tables, bench seating and bits of memorabilia, including some optics and pumps.

"They already have a pool table at the home so once everything is installed it should look like the inside of a real pub."

Ms Knight said: "When I became manager a few weeks ago I realised the upstairs room wasn't used to its full potential.