A NORTH-EAST couple has saved the jobs of hundreds of care workers after the future of a large residential development was threatened.

Portland House in Willington is not only home to elderly people and vulnerable adults with learning disabilities, but is also the town's biggest employer.

Yesterday, care expert Alison Morgan assured both the community, staff and the 116 residents that their jobs and homes were in safe hands.

Alison and her husband, Billy, had already established an enviable reputation for caring for the elderly at a number of their regionally based units when they built the large Portland House complex in 1992.

Mrs Morgan continued to manage the nursing units, residential complexes and string of purpose-built bungalows until 1995, when she reluctantly stepped aside following the sudden death of her father.

It was at this point that the couple were approached by the Edinburgh-based Highfield Group Limited over the possible take-over of homes in their ownership.

"Alison took her father's death very badly and so we agreed to lease Portland House and some of our other homes to Highfield," said Mr Morgan.

But then the group went into administration, shedding 26 of its 78-strong national chain of homes, though its parent company, Highfield Holdings through a second company Highfield Homes Properties Limited, continues to run the remaining 52 premises.

They include Lothian House in Spennymoor, St Margaret's in Durham City and the Beaconsfield in Barnard Castle.

The administration order involving the company left the Morgans with the daunting and costly task of picking up the pieces.

"Our residents are among the most vulnerable in society," said Mrs Morgan.

Although the recent events have been unsettling for staff and residents at Portland House, they may very well prove to be its salvation with the Morgans embarking immediately on a big refurbishment programme.

The couple, who live in Weardale, are also mounting rescue operations for their other homes which had been leased. "We could not stand by and see so many workers at risk of losing their jobs and residents of losing their home.

"We know the residents' best welfare lies in top-level care and to that end we are also looking to recruit yet more quality staff," said Mrs Morgan.

Despite several calls to Highfield Holdings in Edinburgh, no one was available for comment.

l Meetings are to be held today at Portland House at 2pm and 7pm to reassure relatives and friends the future of the home is secure.