There are fears about the future of Connolly House and Gerald Street House in South Shields, and Beech Street House in Jarrow.

South Tyneside Council came under attack after a shake-up in social care provision was announced, with complaints the consultation period was far too short.

Now a six-month extension to talks has been announced to allow more time for consultation with all the main stakeholders.

But while the Friends of Connolly House action group has welcomed the extra consultation time announced by Coun Iain Malcolm, leader of South Tyneside Council, a group spokesman warned: "The council has to realise that 100 per cent of the public and unions, and many senior councillors, are totally opposed to closure or privatisation of Connolly House."

The 22-strong committee fighting to save the Whiteleas centre for dementia care expressed "surprise" at comments by Coun Emma Lewell, the council's lead member for independent and healthy lives, that there is a Government drive to help older people remain in their own homes for longer.

A group spokesman added: "Coun Lewell does not seem to realise that Alzheimer's sufferers, of any age, need 24-7 supervision.

"They cannot be left unsupervised in the kitchen, bathroom, near anything electrical or remotely dangerous.

"They cannot, in short, be accommodated within normal family life."

Campaigners claim that standards of care within the private care sector are "largely unsuited" to dementia patie-nts.

Plus, the group argues that several relatives of dementia sufferers say the standard of care in Connolly House is far superior to that offered elsewhere.

A spokesman for the Friends of Connolly House said: "With the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's in our society, we are going to need more specialist dementia units. Many will no doubt be provided by the private sector.

"We need Connolly House as a benchmark, a centre of excellence, where future providers can come to see excellent practice in their field.

"These views come from the combined experiences of the 22 members of the Friends of Connolly House."

A Council spokesman said: "We are carrying out extensive consultation and all views expressed will be considered before any decisions are taken."