The first residents have moved into a new retirement development in Hornchurch over the past week.

Park Rise, a retirement village featuring 175 apartments for the over 55s, has welcomed its first four residents.

The development is a joint venture between Havering Council and Wates Residential, marking the second project of the council's 12 Estates regeneration.

It offers a mix of council, shared ownership and private sale homes located near Harrow Lodge Park.

READ MORE: Havering Council: 175 Hornchurch homes for over-55s finished

The homes have been designed exclusively for over 55s to live independent lives, while being part of a wider community.

Two of the residents, who used to live on the Solar, Serena and Sunrise Court estate, have moved in under the 'right to return' scheme.

This scheme gives council tenants displaced by the regeneration first refusal to return to the development.

Councillor Graham Williamson, cabinet lead for regeneration and development, said: "Park Rise is a superb scheme.

"It has been expertly designed to ensure residents have high quality homes in a caring community that underpins our vision for independent living.

"Our joint venture with Wates to replace outdated estates with ‘fit for the future’ homes for Havering goes from strength to strength now that two of the schemes have been realised."