ELDERLY people in County Durham are being asked their views on the services provided for them.

Labour-run Durham County Council has embarked on a controversial modernisation programme that entails closing several residential homes and building new-style establishments.

The authority says it is giving the charity Age Concern Durham County more than £200,000 in what it calls a "drive to improve services" across the county.

The social services department has signed a strategic local agreement with the charity.

It is part of a drive to meet Government calls for better services with higher standards for elderly people.

The council says one of the main tasks will be to get pensioners more involved with service delivery and planning and that it has launched a consultation exercise.

Geraldine Waugh, an older persons' team manager working for County Durham social services, said: "The proper care of older people involves a whole range of different organisations - including ourselves, health services and the district councils - so it is absolutely crucial that we work in partnership to achieve our common aims.

"Age Concern is in a fantastic position to find out exactly what older people want with regard to planning and implementing efficient services.

"From Durham County Council's point of view it is another step along our road of aiming for better government for older people and in meeting the National Service Framework for Older People.

"By engaging in widespread consultation we are empowering older people to take a real part in service development and planning."

Harriet Gibbon, chief officer for Age Concern Durham County, said the charity had a number of user panels made up of older people from across the county.

"We have carried out a number of consultations in the past on a wide range of issues and they have proven to be extremely useful," she said.