A UNION says it will continue to campaign against a shake-up of elderly care in County Durham.

Durham County Council plans to close 16 of its 25 residential homes and build six extra-care units designed to give pensioners more independence. One is open in Crook.

The Labour-run council says the plans, revised slightly after consultation, will save a possible £60m bill for upgrading existing homes to new standards.

It says the plans reflect a move away from institutional care.

The move will mean 290 job losses - 350 were originally proposed - and Unison, which represents many care staff, says it will continue to argue against the plan.

The union says staff feel angered and upset that the revised plan was approved despite some councillors having previously said they would oppose home closures.

Regional officer Howard Pink said: "Durham County Council still has not gone far enough to revise its plans, so Unison must continue its opposition.

"With nearly 300 jobs at risk we still do not have acceptable guarantees of reinvestment in the council services and jobs."

He added the proposals would take years to implement and the union would continue the argument with councillors.

Campaigners in Brandon, who opposed the closure of the Lowland House home, say they are pleased that some provision is made for them in the revised plan.

Under the latest scheme, an extra-care unit would be built as a replacement.

Campaign spokesman Paul Taylor said: "We thought we would be left with nothing, just private homes. We are pleased that we are going to get something.

"I can't speak highly enough of the council and Peter Kemp (the council's social services director). They came to our meeting and obviously they listened to us."