A NATIONAL charity is opening its doors to Bromsgrove residents to mark two years since the facility opened.

The Stroke Association's Life After Stroke Centre, in Church Lane, opened in May 2012. The state-of-the-art facility is the national headquarters of the charity and was the first centre in the country to deliver training for volunteers and care workers so they can support stroke victims and their families.

Hugh Tibbits, regional head of operations for the Stroke Association in the West Midlands, said: “The Bromsgrove community has always been incredibly supportive during our first two years here.

"The Life after Stroke Centre is the first of its kind in the UK and we want to celebrate our centre’s birthday with the people who helped to make it a reality.”

The centre is opening its doors to the public from noon tomorrow, (May 8). At the event visitors will be able to find out more about stroke, mini-stroke and the services available to stroke survivors and their families at the centre.

Teams will be on hand to give visitors a blood pressure check and advise people on how they can reduce their risk of stroke.

The second anniversary will also include the community opening of the Edith Murphy House, with activities around the Courtyard's Community Garden and new ground floor facilities.

The house, the second phase of the centre's opening, features a lounge, arts and crafts room, and a quiet room all being used by stroke survivors and their families.

For more on the association and the centre visit stroke.org.uk/LASC.