The First Lady of Cyprus visited a care home on Saturday to mark the beginning of a new extension.

First lady Elsie Christofias joined the Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain Messrs Gregorios at Anastasia Autumn Gardens residential care home in Trent Gardens in Southgate.

The archbishop blessed the extension in Autumn Gardens by laying a cornerstone to mark the start of the building process.

The home, which opened 23 years ago, is set to double in size in the next year – with an additional 44 bedrooms built to make a total of 85 rooms.

A nursing unit will also be built to provide extra care for its residents.

In 2002, the care home was extended to build ten rooms, increasing its number of residents from 19 to 29.

Ms Christofias, who also visited the home in 2008, cut a ribbon to officially open the construction.

More than 100 people were present, including Edmonton MP Andy Love, cabinet member for culture, leisure, youth and localism Bambos Charalambous, Councillor Martin Prescott and Councillor Andreas Ioannides.

Residents and their families also attended the event, which was followed by a barbeque in the afternoon.

Activities manager Christy Ourris said: "Our residents were having a lovely time. The archbishop did a prayer before everyone started to eat - they were in awe of him, they loved it."

The care home specialises in caring for people with dementia from a Cypriot background.