The construction of new homes with 24 hour care was kick-started with a ground breaking ceremony.

The new Kingston Road apartments will offer independence to elderly home-owners while also providing them with extra assistance.

Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond attended the official ground breaking ceremony, formally marking the beginning of construction on the assisted living development.

Mr Hammond said: "I'm very pleased to introduce the McCarthy & Stone development through the ground breaking exercise.

"This development shows that innovative housing solutions can be found for older people living in Wimbledon."

Designed to help those aged 70 years-old and older, the new development will include an on-site Care Quality Commissioned registered team.

The team will be available all year round, for 24 hours a day to provide residents and their families with support.

The homes will feature a lounge for socialising, a guest suite, laundry room and mobility scooter charging and storage points at the development next to the former Nelson Hospital site in Wimbledon Chase.

The apartments will go on sale in autumn 2015 with the first home-owners moving in the following spring.