A WIGTON care home is celebrating two successes at once.

Chichester Hall in Skinburness, has been ranked in the top 20 in the north west and has been granted planning permission to add a two-storey extension to its building.

It was recognised in the Top 20 Care Home Awards 2018, by care home review website carehome.co.uk.

The awards are based on more than 75,000 reviews received from residents and their family and friends between July 2015 and January 2018, and sees Chichester Hall rank 20th out of the 1,910 homes in the region.

The hall received its certificate for being a top 20 care home, at the beginning of March.

Jenni Wilkinson, manager of Chichester Hall, said: "It is absolutely fabulous. I am pleased for the girls who work hard to get these sorts of awards.

"It is due to the reviews of families and residents themselves, it is not because of anything we said.

"It is from families, residents and friends which makes it more special, because that is who we look after.

“All our team are fully committed to providing high quality care in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

"The award is a reflection of their attitude and dedication and comes from the people who matter most... those who live in the home, their family members and their friends and visitors.”

Prior to the award, the care home was recently granted planning permission by Allerdale Council to build a two-storey extension onto the northern end of the existing building.

The plans will provide eight new bedroom suites, lounge, accessible wet rooms and improved accessible toilet facilities.

Plans were approved by the council on March 16.

Davina Ludlow, chair of carehome.co.uk, added: “It is the residents and their families and friends who have first-hand experience of what a care home is like, which is why we use their reviews to find the best care homes in the UK.

"Their reviews reveal that many care homes are warm and sociable places, where residents can interact with others and take part in stimulating activities, looked after by staff who are caring and compassionate.”

“Chichester Hall proved that they provide a high standard of care and we would like to congratulate them on being a Top 20 care home in the North West! It is such an achievement to be recognised for being a top rated care home by the very people you care for.”

“Finding the right care home can be very hard. We hope our awards help to make people’s search for a care home a little bit easier.”

It is hoped that work will begin on the home within the next 12 months, although there are no plans to start work in the immediate future.