Cheltenham Borough Council has agreed £75,000 of grant funding to create two more community hubs in the town.

Invested through Cheltenham Borough Homes, the funding will be used to enhance communal spaces at two sheltered housing schemes in the town centre and Charlton Kings.

It builds on the success of community hubs at other sheltered schemes in Hatherley and Lynworth which support the aim of increasing independent living for older people.

Work is due to start this spring and will involve consultation with tenants with the Hubs due to be ready by the winter.

Councillor Peter Jeffries, cabinet Member for housing, said; "We are delighted to be supporting these community hubs that will play a vital role in the health and wellbeing of our communities.

"This is another example of how we are complementing the £180million housing investment in Cheltenham to deliver quality homes and further invest in creating thriving communities.

"Having access to a varied resource of activities helps to bring people together and contribute to the provision of happy and healthy communities for all."

Cheltenham Borough Homes manages 517 sheltered homes on behalf of the council.

Executive director of property and communities Emma Wall said: "These new community hubs will provide more than just a building for activity to take place.

"They really do have a significant social value for the wider community to reduce isolation and to keep the body and mind active.

"I think over the past few months we have all reassessed our own personal value attached to social interaction and to the importance of shared space in which to carry out activities that contribute to our overall wellbeing."

Hubs at other schemes have been used for a range of activities involving partner organisations to deliver activities such as art classes, lunch clubs and exercise classes.

It is expected the new hubs will offer a wide range of activities, events, free online access, services and therapies as well as a memory cafe, multi-sensory area, kitchen for lunch clubs and garden areas with raised sensory planting beds and seating.