A CARE home for the elderly is to be closed this month to allow the early construction of a replacement.

The Moor Grange care home, in Spennymoor, is the third in the area to be closed earlier than planned as part of Durham County Council's programme to modernise its residential care service provision for elderly people.

The home was initially scheduled for closure in April next year, to allow the 1.6 acre site to be used for the construction of a 36-flat Extra Care Unit, similar to one that has been built at Southfield Lodge, Crook.

But instead, the home will close earlier to make way for the new facility, which is one of seven Extra Care Units the council intends to build.

Durham's social services director, Peter Kemp, said: "We have been able to negotiate the temporary transfer of all 30 residents to a new, independent sector care home in Meadowfield, together with a two-year secondment of staff so they will be surrounded by familiar faces.

"This will enable us to start work on the replacement almost immediately.''

The Spennymoor home is one of 17 scheduled for closure and replacement in the shake-up.

The council says the new-style replacements will extend the choice of care services for elderly people in County Durham by offering them the best of both worlds - having care and support coupled with the option of independent living.

Last week, 30 workers from Sunningdale Residential Home, in Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, reacted angrily when they were told their facility could be demolished as early as September this year, instead of by March 2004, as had been planned originally.

The Stoneleigh care home, in Barnard Castle, will close in October.

Councillor Christine Smith, Durham County Council's lead cabinet member for social services, said that there would be advantages in being able to move the Spennymoor residents to alternative accommodation as a "family", rather than as individuals or in small groups.

She said: "It means that residents who are friends and staff can move together, offering reassurance and continuity of care and support."

Residents and staff have already been told about the arrangements.