PENSIONERS in a Burnopfield residential home are being forced to move because the council property has been deemed unsafe.

The 33 residents at Syke House are leaving because Durham County Council health and safety officers found that fire precautions at the home did not match current standards.

Council officers have promised to try to keep groups of the residents and carer staff together at a number of nearby homes.

The future of Syke House will not be known until a report on the residential home is made and has been considered by councillors.

County council director of social services Peter Kemp said: "In the light of that recent report we have no choice but to move people to other homes. We can't gamble with people's safety.

"We are now asking residents and their relatives where they would like to move to and hope to complete this precautionary evacuation as quickly as possible.

"We have carried out a programme of improvements to our residential homes which has seen most of our 27 homes upgraded at a cost of £3.85m to meet higher standards."

He added that the council had worked with the fire and health and safety authorities to improve Syke House but it had yet to be upgraded. The latest assessment at the house showed that the improvements no longer met current standards and residents may be at risk.

While arrangements are being made for the old people to move the council will increase staff cover at Syke House.

Officers will prepare a report on the house including the costs that would be needed to upgrade the property fully.