UNION officials have called for an emergency meeting with senior managers to address concerns over a flagship housing development for elderly people.

Public services union Unison called for the meeting, expected in the next few days, after staff raised concerns about Southfield Lodge, in Crook.

Opened by Prime Minister Tony Blair in January, the facility is the first to be opened by Durham County Council under a programme to modernise residential care service provision for elderly people.

But concerns about the 37-flat development came to a head this week after the building was struck by a bolt of lighting on Sunday causing a number of faults.

Safety features, including the warden control system, closed-circuit television and fire alarms, were out of order until Monday, while a lift serving the two-storey main building was out of use until yesterday.

Paul Thompson, Unison's assistant branch secretary, said: "Our stewards have got some real concerns about the suitability of this kind of development for the care of elderly people.

"We have questions about the safety and welfare of residents and it is important to address them now because it is the kind of development the council plans to expand further."

A resident's son, who did not want to be named, said: "This seemed the most ridiculous in a host of problems. I can't blame the home for being struck by lightning but it sums up the whole scheme.

"My mother was in another residential home for 15 years without any problems, in a self-contained flat she broke her hip within weeks.

"The thought of having to call firefighters to carry people upstairs is quite disturbing, once upstairs they're isolated which is against the purpose of the development."

A spokesman for Durham County Council said: "Most problems caused by the lightning were fixed by Monday afternoon. Given it was only one working day after they were caused, we do not consider that at all unreasonable.

"The lift was out of action a little longer because a spare part had to be ordered from London.

"We refute the suggestion that this is unsuitable accommodation because if this had happened in an ordinary care home, people would have had to spend all their time in a basic room.

"As it stands, residents have much more personal space and freedom. We have always said there are significant benefits with this kind of development.