A legal agreement has been reached for the future of respite care in St Albans, which was uncertain following the closure of Nascot Lawn in Watford.

Nascot Lawn respite centre provided overnight short breaks for children with complex needs from across Herts, but closed down in November.

Herts County Council and Herts Valleys and East and North Herts Clinical Commissioning Groups were due to reach a formal agreement, called a Section 75, in the autumn. Despite initial delays, the Section 75 has now been agreed.

Before the closure, the county council applied to build an extension at West Hyde Short Breaks Centre near Rickmansworth.

Cllr Teresa Heritage, executive member for children, young people and families, said: “Ofsted have visited West Hyde and given it the go-ahead. We would hope for young people to be able to use it in the next couple of weeks.”