Sedgefield Borough Council has joined an elite group after receiving praise for its Carelink scheme.

The Association of Social Alarm Providers (Asap) presented the council with a code of practice compliance certificate by for its scheme, which links thousands of elderly residents in sheltered housing to a central control.

The council is the first organisation in the North-East, and only the 16th in the country, to receive the honour.

Asap has been recognised by the Government and other statutory bodies to represent the interests of alarm providers.

John Hennick, Asap executive director, praised the council for the strides it has made.

He also singled out Sedgefield Home Assessment and Rehabilitation Partnership (Sharp), which allows people to stay at home rather than in hospital or nursing home.

He said: "Not only was Sedgefield successful in the audit, but it is the first member organisation in the North of England to have achieved this particular accreditation.

"That takes a lot of political vision to see the future as a service provider in that context, and it also takes a large amount of leadership and commitment from staff."

The Mayor of Sedgefield borough, Councillor David Newell, said: "Carelink, the council's social alarm network, has not only enhanced the lifestyles of our elderly and vulnerable residents, it has also been responsible for saving lives."