Three new almshouses have been unveiled in St Margaret’s after the hard work of the Amy Temple charity.

The charity, which looks to provide homes for poor widows and spinsters over the age of 60, only set out to build the trio of cottages in Chapel Lane a year ago.

They each boast an open-plan living or dining room and kitchen with a separate bedroom and a bathroom and will be occupied by three new almsladies at the beginning of next month.

An opening ceremony took place on Friday allowing people to look around the cottages.

Chairman of the charity, the Rev Diane Fawcett, said: “Completion of this project is due to the combined efforts of many people and I would like to thank those who have so generously donated funds. The Garfield Weston foundation, the Quaker Housing trust, the Roger de Haan charitable trust and the Robert McAlpine foundation have all been exceptionally generous.

“Within the village itself the Cleary Trust, the parish council and several generous individuals have added to these donations.

“We also owe a big thank-you to Carolyn Sims and Joan Doherty of the Charity Bank who have been so helpful in arranging our mortgage loan.”

Thanks has also been given to Julian Marczak, Andy Gray of C.J.Gray the builders and architect, project planner and manager Peter Holdstock.

The new houses join four other bungalows.

Project coordinator Bill Currie said: “These will be the final bungalows on the land which is now full, as we wish to maintain the area behind as managed woodland.”