THREE workers at a North-East care home have been sacked following an inquiry into claims of abuse.

Police and social services officials launched a joint inquiry after the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) voiced concerns about the care of residents at the North Park nursing home, in Darlington.

The CSCI received a series of anonymous complaints about the home in November and, after completing an inspection, alerted police to several issues.

Specialist officers were called in to investigate and one formal complaint - that an elderly man was physically abused at the home - was reported.

Last night, Barchester Healthcare, which runs the home, confirmed that three employees had been dismissed as a result of the investigation.

Durham Police told The Northern Echo that no criminal charges were to be brought in connection with the allegation.

But the company said the workers who were sacked did not carry out their jobs correctly.

In a statement, it said: "Barchester Healthcare can confirm that three members of staff have been dismissed following the investigation into an allegation at North Park care home.

"After the police investigation was complete, the care home operator's action plan, agreed by the Commission for Social Care Inspection and Darlington Borough Council, was carried out fully.

"Barchester Healthcare is pleased the situation has been satisfactorily resolved."

A police spokesman said: "Our inquiries are now complete and we plan to take no further action."

Specialists from the force's vulnerability unit had been working alongside Darlington Borough Council's social services officers on the case.

The CSCI is understood to be continuing its inquiries at the I'Anson Street centre, under its procedures for the protection of vulnerable adults.

The home provides personal care and specialist dementia services for elderly people.