A charity's "dream" of opening a dedicated children's hospice in Dorset is set to come true after building work at a new care home was completed.
Julia's House was once a family home
"Julia's House", in Corfe Mullen, was once a family home but will now be a place for up to 10 very ill children to rest and play during the day.
The charity already runs the 50-strong Julia's House Community Team, which travels the county providing home-care.
It is hoped Julia's House will be ready to open to families in March.
Chief executive Martin Edwards hailed the completion of the building works a "significant milestone" in the opening of the centre.
"We are now one giant step closer in making the dream of a dedicated children's hospice a reality for the families of Dorset," he said.
Eventually, it is hoped up to three children at a time will be able to stay at the hospice overnight.
The charity, which receives no government funding, was set up in memory of Julia Perks, a nurse who died of cancer in 1997.
She was committed to providing ill children with care and also to raising awareness of the need for respite care for families.
The charity's work in the community began in 2003.