ST MARY'S Convent in Burlington Lane, Chiswick W4, is celebrating the end of the third phase of the modernisation of its nursing home, which converted the new kitchen and dining room areas.

Sister Jennifer from St Mary's Convent commented: "The dining room and kitchen are now fully equipped and open. Although we had a few hiccups with the gas initially, and were walking up and down the corridor with food for the first couple of days, we are now very happy and all the teething problems have been solved. The dining room is wonderful, light and airy, and the kitchen is fully operational with all the mod cons. Everyone is very happy with it."

She added: "The builders will be leaving in two weeks time. It will be lovely when the whole building project is completed after 18 months of working round each other, to comply with the new care standards."

Phases 1 and 2 provided individual rooms in the new St Andrew's and existing St Raphael's wings. Phase 4 improves access within the buildings, and will finish at the end of March.

The works have been paid for from the £1.7m Appeal Fund which closed in December, thanks to donations from a number of charitable trusts and the generosity and fund-raising efforts of numerous local people.

St Mary's is most grateful to all its supporters. For more information visit www.StMarysCNH.org.uk.