One of Gloucestershire's best-loved charities and major employers has unveiled plans to expand further, with a multi-million pound investment.

National Star, which works with young people with disabilities, currently has its headquarters at Ullenwood, near Cheltenham.

Employing an estimated 1,000 staff already, the charity has now unveiled plans to invest in a new premises across the border in Herefordshire.

The additional of the former Wye Valley NHS Trust building to its portfolio would allow it to create long-term living accommodation for young people with disabilities together with an education, personal development and therapies facility.

John Mann, head of National Star at Hereford, said: "We've been a part of Hereford for five years but 1 Ledbury Road will give us a permanent base in the area and the opportunity to create fully-accessible facilities for the benefit of the young people in this community."

The new premises was a children's respite centre. It was closed in 2017.

Mr Mann said plans were at an early stage, but the proposal is to upgrade the bungalows to create long-term living for seven young people, aged over 18, with disabilities and learning difficulties.

"National Star already runs long-term living properties, including in Cheltenham and Gloucester," said Mr Mann.

"We launched them because young people told us that they preferred living with their peers and continuing their development rather than live in senior citizen homes, which are often the only available provision."

Mr Mann said the bungalows would be available from Autumn 2019 and the education provision, which would be for day students, would move to the new site during Summer 2020.

Cllr Elissa Swinglehurst, cabinet member for children and families, said: "Herefordshire Council welcomes proposals to support young people and adults with disabilities and learning difficulties within the county. We have a strong working relationship with National Star and look forward to working with them on this new venture."

The charity will shortly launch a community fundraising campaign to help pay for the refurbishment.

Currently 17 young people access National Star's specialist support in Hereford, based in Harrow Road. Last year the National Star was rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted inspectors.

National Star at Hereford describes itself as offering life-transforming education programmes combining learning, personal development and specialist therapies along with a high level of support for young people and adults who have physical disabilities and/or acquired brain injuries, alongside associated learning, behavioural sensory and medical needs. Most have complex learning difficulties and disabilities.