DURHAM County Council is coming to the end of an extensive review of its residential care services for older people.

The review was announced early last year and a special project team was set up to oversee the development of a strategy to modernise the service.

The outcome is expected to be announced next month, when the council is likely to offer a range of options for consultation.

Council leader Councillor Ken Manton said: "Our aim is to provide older people in County Durham with some of the best-equipped and most modern services in the country.

"Whatever changes are finally agreed after consultation with all interested parties, including older people and their relatives, staff and trade unions, they will be phased-in gradually.

"We are looking to implement a long-term and lasting modernisation programme, not an overnight facelift. There will be no sudden upheavals. However, until the outcome of the review is announced, it would not be appropriate at this stage to speculate."

The review was prompted by several factors, including the Government's drive to help more people stay in their own homes, increasing expectations among older people and Best Value legislation, which requires the council to examine whether its services are cost-effective and competitive.