A COUNCILLOR has called for a housing complex for elderly people to be given a long-overdue facelift.

The plea was made at a full meeting of Darlington Borough Council on Thursday night.

Councillor Doris Jones, who represents the Middleton St George ward, said the Dinsdale Court homes in the village, which were officially opened in 1974, were in need of refurbishment.

She said: "It is well past its sell-by date. Most are still housing their original bathroom, kitchen and bedroom fittings. They really do look sad."

In response, deputy council leader Bill Dixon said he would reply to Councillor Jones in writing.

But he stressed that the local authority had "one of the best-performing housing departments in the country".