A new care home for journalists is set to open its door to its first residents within six to eight weeks.

Finishing touches are being put to The Journalists’ Charity home, 18 months after building began, and it is due to be signed over to the charity in the next fortnight.

Former residents of the old home, which was closed and demolished in September 2005, will then be given a tour and could move in in early June.

David Ilott, director of the Journalists’ Charity, told HoldtheFrontPage: “First we are going to open to residents who relocated to other homes in the town.

“Those who want to come back should be able to do so within six weeks and we have invited five residents to have a meal at the new home to help them decide.

“It is a bit different to the one they left 18 months ago so they will have the opportunity to look round and meet staff.”

An official opening of the home – named Pickering House after the former executive vice-chairman of Times Newspapers Sir Edward Pickering – will be held in the Autumn.

Pickering House has 20 en-suite bedrooms, all of which are 50 per cent larger than in the previous home thanks to an additional floor on one wing.

There are three wings, each with a lounge and a quiet room, and there is also a dining room, bar and library as well as a chapel, hairdressing salon, activities room and gym.

The home is on a two acre plot in Dorking, virtually on the same footprint as the old one due to planning restrictions, but there is now easy access to extensive landscaped grounds.

New manager Helen Tomlinson said: “The new building is magnificent, a modern design which makes the most of technology, creating a light and airy personal and communal space.”

The Journalists’ Charity is currently receiving enquries from potential residents.

The home is available to journalists, their dependants and the parents of working journalists.

There are also five ‘extra care’ flats in the grounds, for those who need personal care but would like to retain the independence of their own home.