Following a rigorous six-hour unannounced inspection the home has been awarded the highest possible rating of '3 Stars - Excellent Service' by the Care Quality Commission, the body responsible for supervising care homes.

The home is owned by Peter and Lindy Reddihough, who said: "We are very grateful to Janet Cresswell, the manager, and her staff, headed by Norma Wilkinson, for the huge amount of work and effort they have put in to achieving this rating.

"This is a very proud moment for everybody involved with the Old Vicarage and justifies the huge amount of work and effort that has gone into creating such a comfortable and homely situation."

The Old Vicarage is a Victorian house set in its own grounds with a large garden and orchard lying on the outskirts of Wooler.

The building was upgraded about 10 years ago and now has accommodation for 18 full-time residents in comfortable surroundings plus the ability to provide day care in addition.