RESIDENTS of sheltered housing in Earby are to have their accommodation upgraded.

Pendle Borough Council executive will debate the plans, which involves raising the accommodation at Valley Gardens to an Extra Care Standard, at their meeting on Thursday.

The council has four sheltered housing schemes in the borough, none of which currently provides the Extra Care Standard. Lancashire County Council's Social Services Department have told Pendle Council they will fund the upgrade if agreed by the residents.

Any upgrade would mean residents would have access to 24-hour care on site, which would allow them to remain at the complex rather than be admitted to hospital or residential care. The £10,000 cost of the scheme would be met by the county council although some residents may have to make a contribution.

The scheme would be on a pilot basis and, if successful, could be rolled out across the rest of the borough.