A residential mental health unit has opened in Darlington.
The £650,000 Earlston House project will provide a home for up to 12 people who need long-term mental health care, but who can live safely in the community.
There will also be three respite care beds available to provide shorter-term care for people experiencing temporary difficulties.
Earlston House is a former nursing home, which has been renovated by County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust.
Social services have joined forces with the trust to fund the respite beds.
Trust chairwoman Angela Ballatti said: "In Earlston House people with enduring 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."
Health Secretary and Darlington MP Alan Milburn performed the opening ceremony at the house yesterday.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article