A RETIREMENT housing estate in Morris Green has been celebrated for allowing residents to continue living with their pets.

Hanover House, in Maldwyn Avenue, was named as the runner up in the Pet Friendly Retirement Housing of the Year award, run by The Cinnamon Trust.

The Cinnamon Trust is a national charity for elderly and terminally ill people and their pets, who strive to keep owners and their pets together from providing help with dog walking and transport to vets, to fostering while owners are in hospital.

Many Hanover House residents continue to live with their pets over the years, and staff at the retirement complex have been praised by the trust for going above and beyond to ensure that residents do not have to be separated from their furry and feathered friends.

Donna Tucker, senior administrator at The Cinnamon Trust, said: "It makes such a difference to both owner and pet to stay together.

"Every year thousands of animals and elderly people find themselves saying a heart-breaking farewell, with the animals often headed to rescue centres to await re-homing ­— or sadly, in many cases, euthanasia ­— causing misery and suffering to both.

"Research has shown that elderly people who have given up their pets to move home find it more difficult to adjust to life there, and often suffer a long period of depression whilst they grieve for their pet.

"This is why it is so important that pet-friendly retirement estates like Hanover House exist."

Avril Jarvis, The Cinnamon Trust's founder and chief executive added: "Congratulations to Hanover House and its estate manager Carol Hall, this is a great achievement that reflects the understanding, compassion and enthusiasm for pets that makes this a very happy place to live in retirement."

The retirement complex will now host a celebratory tea party for staff, residents and pets to say thank you for all they do to keep elderly owners and their pets together.

The tea party will be held at the Salvation Army Hall, in Aldred Street, on Wednesday October 10 where a vet will present a framed certificate to the retirement housing estate.

Attendees will also enjoy a Cornish cream tea and goody bags of treats and toys will be given to pets.