ELDERLY people in council-run sheltered housing schemes in Darlington are likely to have to pay more for services this year.

The borough council is proposing to charge people living in warden-controlled properties directly for some services, rather than subsidise the cost from all council tenants' rent.

The change would mean elderly residents paying more for having a warden and for services such as cleaning, heating and ground maintenance.

The weekly cost of a warden, for example, would increase from £4.50 to £5.65 a week per tenant. But almost 75 per cent of tenants would be eligible for benefit to cover the charges.

Charles Johnson, chairman of Age Concern Darlington and a Tory councillor, said the new system would be fairer.

"It is unfair on other people to have to subsidise and I don't believe the costs are enormously high. By and large I would go along with the proposals.

"That doesn't detract from the fact that it puts pressure on people with fixed incomes."

The proposed increases were approved by the authority's cabinet earlier this week and will go before the full council next month.

The council is planning to open a sheltered housing scheme, Mayflower Court, in Yarm Road, next month. It will have 42 units for elderly people in need of extra care.

Improvements are also being carried out at Dalkeith House, in Mowden, Oban Court, in Whinfield, and Rosemary Court, in Lascelles Park.