FIVE new homes for disabled ex-service personnel have been built in Bournemouth.

The much-needed accommodation has been built in Castle Lane West by the charity Bournemouth War Memorial Homes (BWMH).

The five bungalows, which will be opened officially tomorrow, (Saturday, September 23) will form part of the charity’s portfolio of over 50 self-contained flats and houses.

The homes were founded in 1948 to provide accommodation for disabled ex-service veterans and their dependants.

People living in the homes have come from the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the Army, the Royal Air Force and the Merchant Navy and have served their country in a variety of ways – from fighting in the Second World War to serving in Northern Ireland, the Gulf Wars, Bosnia and Afghanistan.

The homes were previously subsidised by Bournemouth council but this financial support ended in 2006. The trustees now rely on support from charities such as the Army Benevolent Fund and SSAFA.

“Our charity, which was established here by the citizens of Bournemouth at the end of WWII, is mandated to provide affordable homes to homeless veterans, those veterans less able to manage themselves and their families, and those who sadly find themselves in distressed circumstances,” a spokesperson for the charity said.

“To expand our facilities we have, with the assistance of many local and national charities, constructed five high-quality bungalows on our site to be called Poppy Lane. These newly constructed properties are to be opened, by his Excellency the Governor of Dorset.”

A family fun day will be held for residents and their families to celebrate the opening of the new bungalows.

The Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell, the deputy mayor of Bournemouth, Cllr Eddie Coope, and various local and national charities will be attending.

A barbecue, military band, bouncy castle and other events are planned for the day, which will run from 1.30pm until 7.30pm. Around 150 people are expected to attend.