For Rose and Lily Aylott, the opening of Sir William Harpur House means much more than a roof over their heads. It means they can now be a family again.

The close twin sisters, who married brothers, have lived and worked together for most of their lives but until recently were forced to see each other only infrequently as they couldn't travel to each other's homes.

The move to bpha's frail elderly scheme in March 2004 saw the loyal 83-year-olds move back in together.

Describing what it means to her, Lily, a great-great grandmother, said: "Before we would only see each other once a month as we had to rely on family members who all work. Now we use the dining room seven days a week and it's just like old times when we used to live at home."

"It has helped the whole family become closer because all the nieces and nephews can get to know each other when they visit us both together."