PLANS to invest £5m in sheltered accommodation for older people in north Durham have been announced.

Derwentside Homes has pledged to invest in independent living schemes to bring them up to modern standards.

It intends to remodel two schemes - Haven House, in Leadgate, and Magdalene Court, in Medomsley - and develop larger flats, with their own facilities. More than £2.2m will be invested in both schemes.

Haven House will also benefit from environmental improvements, including secure fencing and landscaping.

Some schemes are being improved with new kitchens, bathrooms and double glazing, but all will benefit from secure entry facilities, with CCTV links to tenants' rooms, new warden call systems and improved office space for wardens and modern furniture and fittings.

The work will create more than 230 high-quality flats across the district.

Samantha Gibson, director of housing at Derwentside Homes, said: "When our sheltered housing was built, older people were happy to live in small bedsit accommodation with shared facilities.

"However, older people's housing needs have changed with their lifestyles: the overwhelming majority need as much space now as they did in their younger years, and they value their independence.

"These proposals will ensure that we can deliver housing that meets the needs of older people for the long term."

Chairman of Derwentside Homes, Carl Christer, said: "Before we came into existence two years ago, promises were made to our older tenants, which they voted on in a ballot to set up Derwentside Homes.

"These plans show our tenants that we are not just keeping our promises, but surpassing them wherever we can."