FOUNDATION stones of two new housing schemes for the elderly were unveiled yesterday.

The developments at Brandon and Spennymoor, both County Durham, will have 24-hour alarm systems, communal lounges and a shop and hairdresser on site.

They are designed to give more care than offered by traditional sheltered housing schemes.

Work began in January and yesterday, the foundation stones at the Beech Park site, in Brandon, and the Spennymoor site in Grayson Road were unveiled.

Work on the buildings should soon be completed.

The two extraCare schemes are part of a contract signed by Durham County Council, Hanover Housing Association and the MJ Gleeson group earlier in the year.

They are part of an £18m overhaul of older people's accommodation by Durham County Council.

The council's strategy includes plans to close 17 out of 25 of its residential homes.

In the extraCare housing, the county council will provide 24-hour care and support.

Under the agreement, the housing association will oversee services such as cleaning, laundry and catering.

Teresa Snaith, service development manager for the Hanover Housing Association, said that once built, the level of care that residents would receive in their accommodation would vary according to their needs.