THE Killen family who left behind friends and family in Bury to move to the continent to give their disabled daughter a better quality of life are settling into the French way of life.

Inspired by their seven-year-old daughter Kirsty, Anthea and Dave Killen made the life-changing decision to sell their family home in Hollins to relocate to France to set up a holiday home for people with disabilities.

Kirsty suffers from severe learning difficulties and Anthea explained: "We know from our own experience that people with disabilities can often be made to feel uncomfortable or restricted because of a lack of facilities on normal package holidays. We want to give them the freedom to do what they want."

"Back in Bury, Kirsty's freedom was severely restricted, and we had to keep our eye on her all the time. The difference in her in just 17 weeks of being here has been unbelievable, she can play and do what she wants in safety," said Anthea, who also has a six year-old son Lee.

Now the family is working on their ten-acre complex, into which they have invested all their life-savings.

They have been supported by local and national businesses. Business partners Andy Faulkner and Ben Speakman from Bury-based CCTV have just returned from a five-day stay with the Killens at their home in Calvados, Normandy, where they were installing state-of-the-art CCTV equipment.

Set in picturesque surroundings, the proposed disabled complex will offer visitors the choice of staying in a gite, farmhouse or in a caravan park. Facilities will include a swimming pool, a play area and a lake.

"There is a lot of work still to be done. We are still working on the farmhouse and building the complex. One gite is ready, and we have extended our family by buying ducks, goats and hens! The children love school, and Kirsty knows more French words than all of us put together."

She added: "We can promise anyone who wishes to help with the building work a brilliant time."

Anyone wishing to help should contact the family by e-mailing calvadosdream@aol.com More information can be found on www.calvados-freedom.com