SAINTS legend Lawrie McMenemy is to open a luxury lodge which provides facilities for families with disabled children.

Shorefield Holidays has built the lodge for the Knights Foundation, which provides support to disabled and seriously ill youngsters from Hampshire and neighbouring counties.

Lawrie, who guided Saints to FA Cup glory in 1976, will visit Shorefield Country Park at Milford on Sea to perform the opening ceremony.

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The new lodge features state-of-the-art decking and wide ramps for wheelchairs.

Nicky Banger, chief executive of the Knights Foundation, said: “This is a dream that has been in the pipeline for some time and is now becoming reality.

“Often, disabled families have to compromise the standard of their accommodation for accessibility but we think luxury should be something everyone can enjoy.

“Our new lodge has everything guests could need.

"The fact that the decking area is apparently the largest on site shows how much Shorefield Holidays have got behind this venture and helped us provide a really lovely holiday home for some very special families.”

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Lesley Lawrence, marketing director at Shorefield Holidays, added: "We are delighted the Foundation have chosen to have their respite lodge on our beautiful park.

"We couldn't be happier about the fact that we can help give people a much-needed holiday in the highest quality accommodation.

“We have a number of charity units across our parks which support a range of families with a variety of needs.

"Being able to provide getaways to help each of our guests create fond and unforgettable memories is something we’re immensely proud of.”

Lawrie McMenemy, 83, was a player for Newcastle United before moving to Gateshead in the late 1950s. An injury ended his career in 1961 and he moved into coaching.

He was appointed Saints manager in 1973 and stayed with the club until 1985, later returning as Director of Football.