A DARLINGTON care home is celebrating the opening of a new wing for its building.

Springfield Care Home, in Wylam Avenue, officially opened a new wing on Tuesday (December 2).

It sees the addition of a sensory room, a physiotherapy clinic and en suite bedrooms to the building, as well as a hair salon.

The work on the new wing took more than five weeks to complete, but provides a perfect early Christmas present to the home’s 30 residents.

The residents are also looking forward to their Christmas party on December 20, which will see a local entertainer perform.

This is just one of many pieces of entertainment that have been organised at Springfield, which frequently offers social events and other activities.

A summer fete took place earlier in the year, which was highly successful, with all money raised going to the support of the care home and its residents.

Springfield care home has been open for more than 30 years. It was originally owned by Duncan Bannatyne, but is now privately owned by a local couple who employ a total of 38 members of staff on the premises.

Gail Carter, the registered home manager, said that the care home has always strived to promote a high quality of living and respite for the residents, and that the new wing helps to make this possible.

Ms Carter also highlighted the importance of the sensory room and physiotherapy clinic in promoting independence for the residents.