A CARE home rated as good by a health regulator welcomed a host of visitors for its celebration.

Defoe Court Care Home, in Newton Aycliffe, was given a good rating following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Residents, their families and the local community were joined by local district nurses and Mayor of Great Aycliffe, Cllr Wendy Hillary, to mark its success.

Attendees were treated to high tea, an Elvis tribute act, and caricatures by the talented Paul Slattery.

Home manager Sarah Todd said: “I’m delighted to have welcomed so many friends, family members and guests to our celebration event.

“The good CQC report is the culmination of a huge effort from the team and recognition of the consistent standards we set for ourselves at Defoe Court.”

Inspectors found the home to be good overall, with a coveted outstanding rating in the care category.

Defoe Court is also celebrating achieving a 9.8 average rating on the sector’s leading care home comparison website carehome.co.uk, and was recently ranked in the Top 20 care homes in the North-East for 2017.

Lynn Lant, area director for HC-One, which runs the home, said: “For it to be recognised as outstanding for care is a fitting description for the consistent standard of kind care delivered.”