THE ancient constitution of one of the North-East's pioneering social housing schemes has been brought up to date to suit the needs of its 21st Century residents.

It has taken several months for the constitution of the 300-year-old Almshouses at Kirkleatham, near Redcar, to be rewritten, but it finally came into effect this week.

Peter Sotheran, chairman of the trustees, said: "The old-style constitution was no longer acceptable in the 21st Century. Residents could be dismissed and lose their homes for 'insubordination, insobriety and immorality.' That type of regime and language is not appropriate these days."

The constitution also introduces trustees from Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council and Guisborough Town Council, who join councillors from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council on the board of management.

Other trustees have been co-opted from local businesses and community organisations in the region.

Mr Sotheran said: "The trustees are still able to make their own rules for the day-to-day management of the almshouses.

"For over 300 years we have had a rule which forbids residents from looking under their beds with lighted candles and another which outlaws keeping livestock in their rooms.

"I think those rules will remain enshrined in our history forever."

The first rules were written in the Great Charter of 1676, during the reign of King Charles II, and were signed by the Lord Privy Seal.

The guidelines remained unchanged for 275 years until the Kirkleatham Estates were broken up and sold in 1950.

New rules set up by an Act of Parliament in 1951 changed the hospital into a registered charity and created the board of trustees to govern it.

The new constitution is the next phase in a £1.6m scheme aimed at renovating the Grade One listed building, to create enlarged and improved accommodation for up to 40 residents.

The almshouses provide sheltered accommodation for people over the age of 60.