It's a truly giant scrabble board

Fun-loving Scrabble fans are clocking up huge scores thanks to a giant board measuring six feet by six feet.

The colourful new board has been installed at a care home near Kidderminster and allows players to take part in Team Scrabble events which have proved a huge 'triple word score' hit with residents and staff alike.

Staff at the care home say Scrabble is one of the most popular pastimes.

But spectators previously had difficulty following what was happening because of the smaller size of the traditional board.

Staff have also joined in and new Scrabble rules which allow the use of celebrity names, places and companies have proven to be the hot topic of the week.

But residents say they have not yet made a final decision on whether to allow the new rules or continue with the traditional games.

Residents at Westley Court, in Austcliffe Lane, Cookley, near Kidderminster, received the giant board this week and have already pitted their wits against each other in a series of Scrabble games.

Bosses from Alpha Care Homes, which runs Westley Court, spotted the boards from a company called Team Scrabble at an exhibition.

The firm makes larger boards designed for team games or to make it easier for more people to take part. And care home managers thought it would be the perfect solution to the problem of making it easier for residents to follow the games.

Alpha Care Homes spokesman Louise Jew said: "Having the bigger board will make a real difference.

"It is important to provide stimulating pastimes and when it comes to Scrabble if people are not actually taking part themselves then they like to watch others.

"Also it will allow them to stage team games."

Diane Day, activities co-ordinator at the home, added: "Our residents enjoy games and Scrabble is an old favourite. Now everyone will be able to see what goes on."