STAFF and residents at a north County Durham home for the elderly cracked open the wine and cheese to celebrate the home's 30th anniversary.

To help mark the occasion at Sunningdale House Residential Home, in Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, staff dressed up for an American theme party that included the Statue of Liberty and Laurel and Hardy.

As well as a tea, live entertainment and fireworks display, staff were joined by county councillor Christine Smith, and Peter O'Shaughnessy - a resident and keen gardener who won the Homes in Bloom competition earlier this year.

They helped to plant trees donated by the Ouston and Urpeth Conservation Volunteers Group in the home's grounds.