A SERVICE that helps older and vulnerable people stay in their own homes is to be extended.

The Supporting People Grant, funded by the Government and operated by Durham County Council, provides alarm schemes and warden services to help 13,000 people across the county continue to live in their own homes.

Since its launch in 2003, it has mostly been available to council or housing association tenants, but it has been announced that, from next April, it will also be available to people living in privately-owned and rented homes.

Councillor Clive Robson, the authority's cabinet member for adult and community services, said: "There are a lot of potential service users - people over 50 and not in good health - who don't have access to the services that are available to help them live independently in their own homes.

"Figures show that although 80 per cent of potential service users live in privately-owned or rented homes, they receive just one per cent of the Supporting People Grant which funds the community alarm and warden support services throughout the county.

"Ninety-nine per cent of the grant is paid to council or housing association tenants."

Durham County Council has just awarded new contracts for community alarm and warden services.

From April, Sedgefield Borough Council will provide services to Sedgefield, Wear Valley and Teesdale, with Durham City, Chester-le-Street, Derwentside and Easington councils delivering the service in their own areas.