THE ruling Labour Party on the region's biggest council was rocked last night by two resignations amid a continuing row over care home closures.

Councillors Norman Wade and Albert Nugent quit as chairman and secretary, respectively, of Durham County Council's Labour group.

The pair resigned following a behind closed doors meeting of the group which had attempted to clarify the outcome of a recent vote on the proposed closures.

A number of Labour members have been angered by council leader Ken Manton's handling of the affair and his backing of the closures, which has caused divisions among the group.

Coun Manton has said he will be seeking a leadership contest in an attempt to face down Labour rebels in the care homes issue.

Coun Wade, who represents Shotton, in east Durham, said: "I just don't think the way that people are going about this is right.

"I am not happy about what has gone on, but don't want to say any more than that."

Coun Nugent, of the Deneside ward in Seaham, said he was meeting a regional officer of the Labour Party later today but would make no further comment.

It is unclear as to whether he has made a formal complaint to the regional body.

Backbench councillors had believed that a vote last month killed off proposals to shut county-run residential care homes for the elderly - a move which would have saved the authority millions of pounds.

But the council's cabinet and senior officers said the vote only blocked the closure of nine homes and did not affect a previous decision to shut four others.

It is understood yesterday's meeting endorsed this position, with Coun Wade and Coun Nugent being put on the spot over the apparent confusion.

Independent Durham county councillor John Shuttleworth said: "In among all this in-fighting, the only people who will potentially suffer are the elderly and the vulnerable in our care homes, which provide a first- class service."

A spokesman for Labour North confirmed its representatives were heading for County Hall later today.

He said: "Labour groups often request assistance and advice from the regional office and, in these circumstances, it would not be unusual for an officer to meet an individual.

"It is not about going down there and waving a big stick about, this is just part of our job."