A DEMENTIA care service is celebrating after being rated outstanding by a watchdog.

The £5million Eachstep Blackburn, which opened in May 2016, was given top marks for its care, responsiveness and leadership.

Care Quality Commission inspectors also rated the home good for its safety and effectiveness.

The Infirmary Road home's overall rating of outstanding is an improvement from its good rating last year.

Based on the site of the former Blackburn Royal Infirmary’s decaying War Memorial Wing, the home provides accommodation for up to 64 people who are living with dementia.

Inspectors praised the service as very caring in a report.

They said that staff were willing to go to the extra mile to ensure people received the care and support they wanted.

Care home manager Phil Benson said: "I'm so proud of everyone at EachStep Blackburn. It's been a brilliant team effort to achieve an outstanding rating, and I'm delighted that the whole team gets to share in this moment."