TWO care home workers were arrested after a 91-year-old woman was taken to hospital with severe injuries.

Last night, the pensioner was seriously ill but stable in the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City. She suffered severe burns after allegedly being lowered into a basin of scalding hot water.

The two female care home workers, who are aged 41 and 53 years, were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm on Saturday.

They were questioned by detectives and released on police bail pending further inquiries.

The pair, who have not been named, have been suspended from Durham County Council's Mendip House Residential Home in West Lane, Chester-le-Street, where the pensioner sustained her injuries.

A police spokesman confirmed two women had been arrested, but declined to name the injured woman.

He said: "Two women were arrested on Saturday following a report received by detectives in Chester-le-Street the previous day.

"The pair are due to answer police bail early next month and we are investigating the matter.

"However, we are unable to give further details at this time. The pensioner is still in hospital and is described as stable."

In a statement, a Durham County Council spokesman said the authority was working with detectives, as well as conducting its own investigation.

He said: "We can confirm that an elderly woman in a County Durham care home has sustained injuries that require hospital treatment.

"We are investigating the circumstances that led to this incident but until we can clarify those circumstances we are not in a position to comment further on them.

"We can confirm that two members of staff have been suspended and that the matter is also being investigated by the police."

No one at Mendip House was prepared to comment last night.

"We have been told to refer all Press calls to the county council," a member of staff said.