UP TO 30 new jobs could be coming to Dorchester with the opening of two new care facilities in the town.

East Boro Housing Trust has launched a recruitment drive as it prepares to open facilities at Digby Court in Edward Road and the second phase of Cambridge Court in Poundbury.

Both facilities will provide support services for tenants with learning difficulties.

A number of staff will transfer from the recently closed Douglas Jackman House, which was run by Dorset County Council, and East Boro Housing Trust claims the other positions will be made available for local employees over the coming weeks.

Chief executive Kevin Hodder says he is expecting plenty of interest at two recruitment open days being held in Dorchester.

He said: “East Boro is delighted to have been awarded the care and support contracts at Digby Court and Cambridge Court.

“These are outstanding facilities which will provide essential services to the community.

“A number of existing care and support workers will come across from Dorset County Council, should they take up the offer to do so, but with the schemes opening towards the end of November, our recruitment drive for other full and part-time team members is now underway.

“As yet we are not certain on the total number of jobs that will be created but it could be somewhere in the region of 30 and I expect there will be a lot of interest in the vacancies.

“All in all it’s great news for us, great news for Dorchester and great news for the local economy.”

Mr Hodder explained that even if all of Dorset County Council staff transfer to the Digby Court and phase two of Cambridge Court they will still need additional employees so the recruitment process will take place alongside the transfer of council staff.