RELATIVES of residents of a North-East nursing home facing closure have held a meeting with officials from Durham County Council.

Members of the Stoneleigh Action Group met Peter Kemp, director of social services, county council cabinet member Councillor Christine Smith, solicitor Kelsey Clayton, Malcolm Haddick, operations manager of social services, and Duncan Callum, County Durham Care head of service.

Mark Oley, citizens' advocate for Rage, the national action group which represents relatives of care home residents, also attended the meeting.

The action group claims that proper consultation has been lacking since the decision was taken in March to bring the closure of Stoneleigh, in Barnard Castle, forward from 2004 to September 2002.

Mr Kemp said the county council's decision to close the home had been made following central Government reforms to modernise care homes in the country, and that they were still looking for a suitable alternative site for a new facility in Teesdale.

Coun Smith argued that the situation was particularly difficult in Barnard Castle because of the number of elderly people requiring care.

Mr Oley suggested that an independent mediation panel be appointed to investigate the complaint.

Social services staff from the county council have vowed that suitable alternative accommodation would continue to be sought in Teesdale, because residents had raised concerns about being moved from the home.

The council has 14 days to set up the mediation process.