ELDERLY people who were annoyed when a care home was demolished will be delighted to see work to build new facilities start on the site this week.

On Thursday, at 11am, Councillor Alan Fenwick, chairman of Durham County Council, will cut the first turf on the land on which Stoneleigh Home stood in Barnard Castle, prior to work starting on the construction of 36 flats designed for use by frail elderly people.

It is being provided under a contract signed by Durham County Council, the Hanover Housing Association, the MJ Gleeson Group and County Durham Care.

The first residents are due to move into the complex in a year's time.

There were many protests against the plan to demolish Stoneleigh, because it was felt to be providing an excellent service. But the county council insisted that the facilities were outdated.

Each flat will have a kitchen and bathroom and will be designed to give the residents independence. But they will also have a 24-hour alarm system so that help can be called at any time.

The complex will have communal lounges, a small shop and a hairdressing salon. Elderly people living nearby will be able to use the facilities.

The scheme is one of six extraCare projects planned in the county. The idea is to allow frail elderly people to live independently while being able to have access to extra help when needed.