AN impressive aerial image has been released showing Barrow's new care home as staff prepare for the grand opening.

The photograph, courtesy of the Furness Economic Development Forum, shows the finishing touches being made to the exterior and landscaping of the £7m, 60-bed care facility in Risedale Road.

The development has suffered a number of delays and setbacks after the main contractor went into administration during construction.

READ MORE: Further delays for Barrow care home

Work was initially scheduled to begin in July 2012 with completion pencilled in for summer 2013.

Called Parkview Gardens, the development was designed to replace four care homes in the area and provide care for older adults, with a particular emphasis on those with dementia.

The project was delayed for over a year because of drainage issues and work finally began in October 2013. But in March 2015, within weeks of completion, main contractor GB Building Solutions went into administration, throwing the care home into uncertainty and leaving local sub-contractors tens of thousands of pounds out of pocket.

Then in April of last year, Cumbria County Council revealed there was a light at the end of the tunnel in the appointment of a new main contractor - Esh Border Construction, to finish the job.

A spokesperson for the council said: "This photograph shows that the construction of the new Barrow Care Home is almost complete. This will be a fantastic asset to the local community in Barrow when it opens, and the council is grateful for the patience and understanding of the public during construction.

"The project is due to be completed in September, after which the formal process of registering the new premises will begin and we can then look forward to welcoming residents.”

The finishing touches are now being made to the facility and residents are expected to move in next month once the project is completed.