Local resident Jack Mantle, aged 90, helped bring down the last wall of an empty block of flats at Wetherby Court, off Cartmel Road, Huyton, Liverpool on Tuesday 5 August 2008.

The site is being cleared by Cosmopolitan Housing Association to make way for a new  £2.3 million Extra Care housing complex for older people.

Jack, who lives at nearby Hillside Residential Home was appointed ‘Demolition Man’ for the project after winning a poetry competition organised by Cosmopolitan for local older residents.

His poem, entitled ‘The Joys of Growing Older’, won him the honour of helping to complete the demolition. Watched by local residents, dignitaries and invited guests, Mr Mantle was kitted out in regulation hard hat and high-viz jacket and rang a bell to order a JC to demolish the final wall.

Afterwards he delighted guests by reading his winning poem at a reception lunch at The Gate community centre on Princess Drive, Huyton.

Work will begin on the new extra care complex at Wetherby Court next month with completion set for July 2009. The development will consist of 23 apartments with car parking, communal lounge, kitchens, and treatment and therapy rooms.

Cosmopolitan Housing Association Chair, Beatrice Fraenkel, said: “We are delighted to have Mr Mantle along to help us with this significant milestone in the project and to be able to celebrate the occasion with our key partners including Knowsley Borough Council and Knowsley Primary Care Trust.

“The plans for the redevelopment of Wetherby Court began as a result of Knowsley’s Housing Strategy identifying a need for extra care housing in the area. This increasingly popular model of housing and care offers older people a high degree of independent living with a flexible care package on-site that adapts to their needs.”

Councillor Graham Morgan, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development said: “The development at Wetherby Court is fantastic. It will provide new and modern high-quality homes for older people in this area. Knowsley Council is committed to providing a high quality of housing for all of our residents to create a safer and stronger Knowsley and we are proud to be working with our partners to deliver this.”ding for the £2.3 million project will come from the Housing Corporation, Knowsley Council and Cosmopolitan itself. Once open it will be run in partnership with Knowsley Primary Care Trust and Knowsley Social Services.