Elderly people will benefit from a new estate of specialist homes, thanks to a Bradford charity.

Bradford Flower Fund Homes announced plans to build seven bungalows as the first phase of its project in Gaisby Lane, Bolton Woods, at its annual general meeting last night.

The £600,000 development will involve the demolition of the old Crimshaw public house and will be the seventh estate built by the charity, which is dedicated to providing affordable homes to rent for elderly people with limited means in the Bradford district.

Fund chairman Ron Jennings said: "This has all been done because of the generosity of Bradford people who have supported us through thick and thin in providing these homes for people and who want to keep on doing this.

"It's something worthwhile and good and it has grown from strength to strength. We are building these new homes to the highest standard of any we have ever built. They will be very nice."

The estate, to be called 'Flower Croft', will offer seven one-bedroom bungalows with fitted kitchens, seated showers and handrails at affordable rent.

Building is due to start later this month and people should be able to move into the homes next spring.

Mr Jennings said: "The benefit is that people can move out of whatever accommodation they had before which was fine when they are younger but becomes difficult when they are older."

Plans have yet to be finalised for the second phase of the project which could include a block of eight flats built on the area of the old Crimshaw but the charity needs more funds to do this. In the meantime this will be grassed over and planted with shrubs to make it more attractive.

Bradford Flower Fund Homes was set up in 1957 by Ernest Marriott, a leading Bradford businessman, following the death of his elder son Geoffrey in a motoring accident.

Instead of quickly-fading floral tributes at times of loss, donations are put towards building homes.

The charity has already built 120 bungalows and 34 flats at estates across the district. To find out more about the charity or to make a donation to it call (01274) 493523.