A RURAL authority is expected to give its support to an agency set up to help elderly and vulnerable people.

The Home Improvement Agency (HIA) for Teesdale and Wear Valley districts is being established as a limited company.

Next week, Teesdale District Council's corporate services committee is expected to approve the memorandum and articles of the HIA and nominate Councillor Mary Mitchell as a director of the board.

Teesdale is a partner in the HIA along with Wear Valley District Council, the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust and Durham County Council.

The agency helps elderly and disabled people to stay in their homes for longer.

Colin Carter, Teesdale's health development officer, said: "Though aimed at the general populace of Teesdale and Wear Valley, it will focus its efforts on older people, disabled people, people on low incomes, people who suffer ill health and vulnerable people."

The committee meets at 2pm, on Wednesday, in Teesdale House, Galgate, Barnard Castle.