A NEW housing development was doused with a bottle of Suffolk's finest beer to test in a bizzare traditional ceremony to test how watertight the roof is.

A NEW housing development was doused with a bottle of Suffolk's finest beer to test in a bizzare traditional ceremony to test how watertight the roof is.

The traditional 'topping-out' ceremony was held in Stutton where the £3.2 million project is taking shape.

The new development, due to open in the spring of next year, will offer 38 flats for frail older people, including nine flats especially designed for people with dementia.

It is funded by the housing association Housing 21, Suffolk County Council and Babergh District Council

Peter Fletcher, new business manager at Housing 21, said: "This is state of the art housing, offering real choices around independence for frail older people."

Sue Wigglesworth, chair of Babergh's Housing Task Group, added: "Once it is fully operational, the Stutton scheme will provide a much needed resource for local older people. With the provision of respite care facilities, the scheme will also be of real benefit to their families as well."

At the ceremony last week Dave Wood, county councillor for the Peninsula division, said: "This is a very important investment project for us.

"We know that older people want to live longer in their own homes, close to friends and family, with access to the right support to help them."

"This very sheltered housing scheme means that people will have their own flat with a 24 hour team on call. I am pleased that Suffolk County Council is involved with this scheme."