Local legion housing association committee officials study the well finished development soon to be handed over to their administration. From the left, Mr Booth, Councillor Ernest Bacon, Mr Kennedy and Mr Spencer.

When the building contractors hand over the keys to the £722,000 "mini estate" which has been constructed specifically for Burnley's ex-Servicemen and women, the town will notch up an historic landmark in the history of the Royal British Legion. The development - to be known as Barnes Court in honour of the many years of service of nonagenarian Mr William Barnes as secretary of the local legion branch - is the 100th of its kind to be sponsored by the RBL. It is also the biggest.

The development has been built on the fringes of the corporation's Brunshaw Estate and overlooks Towneley Holmes. Residents will have glorious open views taking in the Cliviger Valley and the backdrop of hills surrounding the town. Work on the ultra-modern complex began in February last year. All the accommodation is single bedroomed and, out of the 79 provided, 42 are "sheltered" and these are strictly for pensioners. These units are made up of 14 bed-sitters and 28 two-person flats. The remainder are for people who have not yet reached pension age and, although still one-bedroomed, are called family units. A warden has already been appointed, Mrs M. Glover, and she occupies part of the "sheltered" area - in which all the flats are linked under one roof - which is in electronic "touch" with each flat.

A 12-member committee, under the chairmanship of former Lt Cdr Mr Tom Kennedy, has been formed to watch over the new complex. The treasurer is a former squadron leader, Mr H. Booth, and the secretary is Mr Jack Spencer.