VULNERABLE people in the North could be missing their chance of a more independent lifestyle, a study has revealed.

The research showed local authorities in the North-East and Yorkshire to be the most reluctant in the country to allow individuals the option of choosing their own care providers.

The Government scheme, called Direct Payments, gives the disabled, elderly and those with learning disabilities greater freedom by providing them with the funding to choose how to receive their own care.

Under the traditional system, still the most widespread, a local authority diverts the money straight to social services, giving the individual no option of where their care comes from.

The research, by the Economic and Social Research Council, showed that compared to a national average of 406 direct payments per million inhabitants, Yorkshire recorded 282, while the North-East recorded 285.

The North-East was worst for elderly people, with only 44 receiving direct payments per million inhabitants, compared to 71 nationally, while Yorkshire recorded the least payments to both those with learning disabilities and physical disabilities.

Professor Sheila Riddell, who led the research, said some authorities were reluctant to promote Direct Payments, as it could be seen as jeopardising the jobs of council-paid care providers.

"In some areas, direct payments have been seen as a threat to public sector jobs and sometimes authorities haven't been as whole-hearted in promoting direct payments as they may have been," she said.

"Some social workers also have reservations about promoting the scheme because they doubt if everybody who is handed their own cash is able to effectively put in place their own care and support."