CARE home bosses have secured permission for a £4m development.

Middleton Hall, near Middleton St George, has been given permission by Darlington Borough Council for projects, including building retirement apartments and extending the home itself.

Twenty-two apartments for older people will be built overlooking parkland in the home's 20-acre grounds.

The hall's managing director, Jeremy Walford, said: "The expansion would meet the strong demand for accommodation from older people looking to maintain an independent lifestyle.

"We are ideally positioned to provide support and services for the new residents as needed - either on a short-term basis if they have to recover from an illness or long term if they become less independent.

"They will be free to pick and choose the support they want and when they want it from the services we provide."

Properties will be offered for sale on a leasehold basis.

Building work is due to start towards the end of the year, but a waiting list is being drawn up.