A GIANT crane and special modular building (POD) caused heads to turn in Widnes.

The crane was in Blackburne Avenue on Tuesday, October 27, to deliver a special house extension to a Halton Housing Trust family.

The extension is the first of its kind to be added to a Halton Housing Trust home and has been carried out as a joint project between the Trust and Halton Borough Council.

The modular building has been installed to give the local family more space – without the need for a costly permanent extension.

Nick Atkin, Chief Executive of Halton Housing Trust, said: “The family has two children – one of whom has a disability, and so needed more space for wheelchair access and their continued heath needs.  Recent technological developments meant that this was one of the solutions available to us to provide the family with the much needed care and support they required for his continued care.”

Julie Rizzotti, who lives at the property with her two sons, said: “This couldn’t have come at a better time.

“It will give me much more support with my son, and make life much easier.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in making this happen.”

Ingrid Fife, Chair of Halton Housing Trust, added: “This is a ‘first’ for social housing in Halton and is an imaginative solution to help improve the quality of life for a local family.”

Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for the Community, Cllr Marie Wright, said: “We are happy to be working in partnership with Halton Housing Trust to help this young boy keep his independence and live at home.”

During the installation, the road had to be closed, so that specialists could lower the building into place.

It will now take a further two weeks to fully install – ready to make a real difference to the quality of life for this local family.