Former England and Manchester United football player Gary Neville has attended the opening of a new dementia wing at a Lancashire care home.

Ribble Valley Care Home, near Clitheroe, invested £2 million in the extension, as reported by the Lancashire Telegraph.

The Sky Sports pundit also spoke about the convincing link between a professional football career and the onset of dementia in later life, with research showing players are three and a half times more likely to suffer from the condition. This is believed to be due to frequent heading of the ball, which over time causes damage to the brain.

Speaking at the event, Gary Neville said: “This is an absolutely lovely property and I’m really pleased that Townfield Care can offer specialist help to former footballers.

“I know the work that Michael and John and the family have put into this, and the team, over a couple of years. It’s been a labour of love. It’s taken a lot of hard work to get this care home into the condition it currently is and the passion that they have for delivering the services.

“I’m an ex-football player, and I think over the last 10 years football players have become very aware of the risk of dementia and the way in which dementia has affected so many who played the game.

“It is heartening to know that there are good facilities and good care available for people.

“Well done to Michael, well done to John, [and] well done to all the team here who deliver the services. They’re doing a great job.

“It’s the first time I’ve been and I’m blown away by the standards that I’ve seen inside.”

The care home, in Sawley, is run by Townfield Care and currently has a ‘good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).