PLANS for two 60-bed care homes for the elderly have been approved by Darlington Borough Council.

Gary Lewis Care Homes, which owns three homes on Tyneside, plans to transform the council-owned plots into modern care facilities for the elderly.

Darlington council's planning committee approved the schemes at Winterton House, I'Anson Street, off Whessoe Road, and Hundens Park, Hundens Lane.

The plot at I'Anson Street consists of four flats and 22 bedsits which were recently closed because the accommodation proved difficult to let.

The 1970s building will be replaced with a three-storey structure overlooking North Park and incorporating a tower and bay windows.

Land at Hundens Park, used as a bowling green, will be developed into a T-shaped, two-storey home and day care facility with an access shared with users of the park.

The bowling club has agreed to move to the nearby Eastbourne Sports Complex, while a disused play area to the east of the land has been dismantled and moved, also to the complex.

Because the proposed care homes are on council-owned land, the application has to be referred to the Secretary of State for the Environment for approval.

Councillor John Williams, leader of the council, said the new developments would help address the shortage of care beds in the town.