As affected residents begin to move back into their properties the rest centre for families is being relocated to a more central location in Shaw.

This will offer better accommodation with dedicated play provision for children and more confidential areas for advice and support.

From 9.00am on Friday June 29, the Lifelong Learning centre on High Street, Shaw, OL2 8TB, will act as Rest Centre.

The centre will continue to offer support, a place to meet and refreshments to affected families. It will be open every day between 9am to 7pm.

An advice centre is being opened in nearby Shaw Library on Farrow Street which will offer a quiet, confidential space for residents to obtain advice about benefits, welfare and financial support.

The advice centre will be open from 10am to 2pm every day including over the weekend. There will also be a later advice session on Monday, July 2 between 6pm and 8pm.

From Friday June 29, the donation centre, where residents can drop off any donations and affected families can access supplies, will be relocated to the Salvation Army on Farrow Street East in Shaw.

The donation centre will be open from 10am to 3pm every day and can receive non-cash donations of:

• Clothing
• Bedding
• Toiletries
• Cleaning products
• Toys and Games
• Small furniture items
• Non-perishable foods

Immediately following the explosion, Crompton House School offered their sports hall as a temporary Rest Centre for those affected by the incident.

For the past three days this facility has been vital in supporting the local community.

Councillor Howard Sykes said: “The Council, our partners and all the residents affected are enormously grateful to Crompton House School.”

“The staff and pupils have been tremendously generous and wonderfully flexible. Without their fantastic contribution this tragic situation would have been even more distressing and difficult to manage.

“The facility they provided has been invaluable in ensuring that we had a place where residents could be safe and were able to access advice and services and receive much needed donations.

“But we always knew we would need a longer term solution, as many of the residents will find their properties inaccessible for some time. Residents also needed a centre closer to the affected area and one with more tailored facilities.

“We believe these new arrangements will provide the services that the community needs in a way that is accessible yet still ensures space to provide confidentiality and individual support.”