DITT Construction has commenced work on a new £6 million learning disability hub in Lerwick.

A ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of construction in Seafield was held on Monday, 01 August.

The development will replace the Eric Gray Resource Centre and involves developing a purpose-built hub to cater for the needs of people with a wide range of learning disability, autistic spectrum conditions and complex support needs.

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It will provide safe access to external spaces through the incorporation of a range of sensory garden, a green house, planting areas and physical activity zones.

The project is to be completed in 2018.

Shetland Islands Council's Depute Convener, Cecil Smith, said: "It's fantastic to see this project finally getting underway. It's been an aspiration of the Council for many years now to replace the existing Eric Gray Centre with a more flexible, comfortable facility, and I'm very pleased the project has got to this stage."

Peter Tait, Director of DITT Construction, added: "We look forward to working closely with the architects, Shetland Islands Council and the staff of the Eric Gray Resource Centre to produce a facility that will bring a tangible benefit to the users."

(LM/JP)