A DORSET care home that started life with just one resident and one member of staff has celebrated its 35th anniversary.

The Old Vicarage in Leigh near Sherborne was bought by Annie and Ian Sinnott in 1984 who transformed the house into a residential home for the elderly as well as a home for themselves and their family.

It was previously home of the parish vicar for decades and Reverend Evans lived at the vicarage until early 1963, before it was sold and turned into flats.

Annie and Ian Sinnott restored the building and grounds to its former beauty and opened the care home on April 1, 1984.

At the time, it was registered for just six residents and the one staff member later went on to become a resident at the home.

In 1996, the home was expanded and a further extension was completed in 2012, increasing the capacity to support 41 residents.

To mark the home’s 35th anniversary, a special champagne afternoon tea was held for residents, staff and visitors.

Manager Louise Turner, who has worked at the home for over 20 years, said: “The Old Vicarage is steeped in wonderful local history and it was great to look back at the story of the building, but also to see how far it has come as care home since it welcomed residents back in 1984.

“Care today is quite different to that provided in the early 80s, but what remains the same is the constant commitment to the happiness and welfare of our residents. We are very proud of our home, which is well known and loved in the local community, and it was important for us to mark this anniversary.”

After Annie and Ian passed away, their daughters Carey and Josie took on the home up until 2018 when they made the decision to sell it to Healthcare Homes.

The home now has 68 staff and 41 residents.