THE new Churchill Retirement Living complex on the former Farnham police station site in Long Bridge will be called ‘Hawthorn Lodge’, after Farnham’s famous son and former F1 world champion Mike Hawthorn.

It comes after Farnham resident June Newman won a competition to name the new development of luxury retirement apartments.

Mrs Newman, 68, selected the name Hawthorn Lodge in honour of Mike Hawthorn, who became Britain’s first F1 world champion in 1958 and tragically died six months later in a crash on the A31 Hogs Back.

Hawthorn lived much of his life in Farnham, where his father owned the Tourist Trophy Garage in East Street, on the site of the present day Papa John’s pizza takeaway.

Mrs Newman’s suggestion was chosen from a host of entries after Churchill ran a competition for local people to choose a name for the site, earning her a £100 prize.

She said: “I knew about the Churchill development because it’s in a very central position in Farnham and when I read about the competition in the paper I knew what I wanted to suggest.

“Mike Hawthorn lived in Farnham and had a garage here. I think he’s someone who is poorly recognised in the town. I’m delighted the name was chosen and I think Hawthorn Lodge sounds a very nice place to live – I’d like to live there myself one day!”

Anne Scherrer, regional marketing manager from Churchill Retirement Living, added: “We were delighted with Mrs Newman’s suggested name which resonates so well in the local community.

“Hawthorn Lodge is an exciting development of 50 one and two-bedroom apartments which will provide much–needed accommodation for older people in the local area. Like all of our developments, it will offer safe and independent living close to local shops and amenities.”

Churchill hopes to complete Hawthorn Lodge by spring next year and recently reinstated the police station’s three murals depicting scenes from Farnham’s history on its eastern wall facing Gostrey Meadow.

Internal pluming is currently being installed and, as depicted in an artist’s impression of the development, a new replica clock tower - granted planning permission by Waverley Borough Council in July - will soon take pride of place above the corner of Long Bridge and Downing Street.

The new clock tower imitates the police station’s former clock tower, which Churchill said was damaged beyond repair prior to its removal and in any event would be too heavy for the new building. It is due to be installed in early 2016.

Mrs Scherrer continued: “With the name officially announced, we will soon be opening a welcome centre where local people who are interested in retirement living can enquire about the accommodation and what help is on offer to make the move as easy as possible.”

The Hawthorn Lodge welcome centre is due to open in October 2015. For more information call 0800 458 1857 or visit the website www.churchillretirement.co.uk.