SCOTTISH Labour Housing spokesperson Pauline McNeill visited Lumphinnans this week to see round the new care home, day care centre and sheltered housing complex which was officially opened earlier in the summer.

Ms McNeill was accompanied by Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley, as well as Fife Council co-leader David Ross and communities spokesperson Cllr Judy Hamilton.

The Shadow Minister was highly impressed with the new facility, which opened in June to replace Jenny Gray House, Lochgelly, and Valley House, Cowdenbeath.

Alex Rowley said: “The new facilities built in Lumphinnans are amongst the very best in Scotland and a model of the very best practice for supporting old people live in the community and is why we can be very proud to show these facilities to the rest of the country. "Building and delivering more care facilities and retirement housing is something that the public sector should do more of and these brilliant facilities are a demonstration of what can be achieved where there is a political will to do so”.

Ms McNeill spoke to the Times and said: “I was really blown away by the quality of the care home, the day care facilities and the sheltered housing complex.

"I enjoyed speaking with residents and their stories said it all.

"Fife can and should be very proud to be building these kinds of facilities within the public sector. This is a model that Labour is committed to across the country”.

Council leader David Ross also praised all the staff working in the complex and said having the best buildings is one thing but having a team of dedicated staff to support residents is key.

Our picture shows Ms McNeill and Mr Rowley with Cllrs Hamilton and Ross and staff as they visited the home of Margaret and Rena Munroe.