A CENTRE which provides respite care for people with learning disabilities in Darlington is being hailed as an example of how such services can be improved.

Campaigners waged a long-running battle to try to keep the Elmwood House nursing home in Darlington open.

The home, which cared for people suffering with severe dementia, was closed in 1998 because the building was found to be sub-standard.

Two years later, the Elmwood building on Newton Lane has been demolished and replaced by two large, detached bungalows. One will provide a home for three people with learning disabilities, who will live there with support from social workers, while the other five-bed bungalow will provide respite care for people aged 18 to 65 with learning disabilities.

The £300,000 project, which will be officially opened today, forms part of Darlington Borough Council's review of residential services for people with learning disabilities.

Councillor Bill Dixon, who will perform the opening, said the centre is an example of how services can be improved.

And he has drawn a parallel with the imminent closure of five residential homes in Darlington.

"We will save £1.2m a year by closing the homes and this money will be put directly back into helping pensioners to stay in their homes longer," he said.