THE Mayor of Darlington visited a residential mental health unit in the town yesterday.

Councillor Doris Jones spent the afternoon at the £650,000 Earlston House on Coniscliffe Road.

The unit, which opened in June, cares for people with long-term mental health problems who can still live in the community. Up to 12 can live at Earlston House and there are also three respite beds for anyone with problems.

Manager Jeff Hardy said: "It was good to see the mayor and to show her our facilities. In Earlston House, people with mental health problems can live in a homely environment which is not institutional.

"People have more space and more dignity. They have their own rooms, they can enjoy the garden and they can live as part of the community."