Christmas means new homes for a group of eight people with physical and mental handicaps.

A foundation stone will be laid today, marking the completion of two semi-detached bungalows at Coulby Newham, near Middlesbrough.

The project is the result of a pioneering partnership between local councils, a care group and NHS trust, the architect and builder.

Accommodation is on one floor, and specialist equipment and design features, including wide doors, adapted baths and beds, and lifting equipment, will help the residents to live as independently as possible, although they will get daily help from specialist carers from St Anne's Shelter and Housing Action and the local community NHS Trust.

Councillor Eddie Dryden, Middlesbrough Borough Council's Commissioner for Social Care, said: "The bungalows are a tribute to the hard work of all the agencies involved and an excellent example of what can be achieved through partnership working.

"Service users and their families have been involved every step of the way and played a key role in choosing the organisation to care for their relatives on a daily basis."

He said: "It's been a long road to get where we are today, but we're finally here and the end result is a scheme that we can all be proud of and one which will help to improve the quality of life for some of our citizens."