ELDERLY residents may soon be moved out of an east Durham home following the discovery of a faulty heating system.

But independent county councillor Tony Moore called yesterday for an assurance that the proposed evacuation was not a ruse to close down Essyn House in Easington Village.

Rumours over the future of the home had sparked fears the residential home had been marked for closure.

But yesterday, a spokesman for Durham County Council said: "There is a problem with the home's heating system, which is in danger of breaking down and in need of urgent and extensive repairs.

"If the heating system was to fail suddenly, it would require an immediate emergency evacuation of the home."

He said that would be very stressful:

"We have asked residents whether they would prefer to move to an alternative home of their choice in a planned way, rather than wait for an emergency to happen," he said.

He confirmed that a formal consultation process had begun, and all 25 residents and their relatives or carers would able to discuss the matter.

The latest difficulty follows fast on the announcement that 33 residents at Syke House, in Burnopfield, are to be moved, because the property has been deemed unsafe.

The county council has 27 residential homes for the elderly, 22 of which have been upgraded at a cost of £3.85m.

Essyn House is one of five homes yet to be upgraded.

The council spokesman also said that a full assessment of the physical condition of Essyn, House was being carried out and a report on its future would be considered.

Councillor Moore told the authority: "We want assurances that both these homes will not be closed permanently. I am concerned that this is a ruse to sell them off."