AN 8-year-old was invited down to a building site after finding out she shared a name with a new development.

Polly Darby had noticed she shared a link with the Polly's Field retirement village when walking past it with her mum one day.

She sent in a letter to Abbeyfield, the charity building the new complex, and was then given an invitation to come and look around the site.

Polly was given the honour of laying a brick inscribed with her name during her day out and was also able to meet a number of high profile people, including the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Jennifer Tolhurst.

Her mum, Laura, said: "Polly had the most fantastic time.

"It was a day she will never forget."

The new development, which is based in Church Lane, Bocking, will offer 99 retirement apartments once built.

A new a gym, bistro, and hair salon are also being installed at the site.

Bosses hope construction will finish in early 2022.