Residents of a care home which was seriously damaged by fire last month have been asked to contribute ideas towards its renovation.The blaze on January 24 started in the laundry room at Swanton House, in Swanton Novers, near Melton Constable, which helps people with mental health and learning difficulties.

Residents of a care home which was seriously damaged by fire last month have been asked to contribute ideas towards its renovation.

The blaze on January 24 started in the laundry room at Swanton House, in Swanton Novers, near Melton Constable, which helps people with mental health and learning difficulties.

It took eight fire crews more than three hours to control the blaze as it spread to the roof of the building.

A speedy evacuation ensured no-one was injured, but a fire service spokesman said the smoke damage meant eight residents needed to be found new accommodation on site.

A spokesman for Swanton House said staff were working with the fire service to determine the cause.

Meanwhile, the centre's residents have been given the chance to offer their own designs on how a planned four-month rebuilding project could improve the damaged areas.

The spokesman said: 'No one was injured and staff acted quickly to alert the emergency services and evacuate the building. All residents are safe and comfortable in the main house.

'We will use this as an opportunity to improve the building for everyone by involving our residents in the design process, giving them the chance to choose their own colour schemes and furniture.

'We also have plans to include more communal areas following conversations with residents about how they think their living space could be improved.'

A planning application has already been submitted for the proposed work which, if granted consent, is expected to begin in March and last for 18 weeks.