RESIDENTS of a supported living home celebrated its tenth anniversary with Cherry Bear last week.

Shaftesbury Court, in Wimborne Road, Bournemouth, was officially opened ten years ago by Princess Anne as a home for the physically disabled, which also provides life skills training.

Mayor of Bournemouth John Adams and the AFC Bournemouth mascot were present to unveil a plaque marking the occasion, as well as a memorial tree dedicated to those residents who have died since the home opened.

Support services manager Angela Channing said: "The home has been a great success, it is nice place both to live and to work.

"Some of our residents have been here for the full ten years, and they all wanted to throw a party to mark the occasion.

"It was a fun day and we are grateful to Tesco for their help."

As well as the plaque and tree, the residents and staff enjoyed a range of refreshments provided and served by staff from Tesco stores in Bournemouth, Fleetsbridge and Tower Park.

Tesco also contributed funding for the event, while the rest was raised by the residents themselves in raffles at Christmas and Easter time.

Shaftesbury Court, which houses 18 residents in 14 separate rooms, is managed by Livability and Eastboro, which handle the care and support sides of the home respectively.

While the residents are eligible for housing due to their physical disabilities, many also have mental health or sensory problems, or some minor learning difficulties.

They are trained in life skills adapted to their disabilities in the hope that they might one day be capable of living independently.

"We do understand some of our residents won't be able to leave," added Ms Channing.

"And also we throw so many parties here they don't want to."