CARE for the county's elderly needs 'significant improvement and investment' says the latest survey of Herefordshire's social services.

By contrast, there are 'excellent prospects' in what the department does for children according to this year's review of social services.

With two stars, the county is in the second tier of performance. Three stars would put a department on top while one or none risks Whitehall intervention.

The need to improve support and care for the elderly - with the county's elderly population rising fast - came as no surprise to the council.

It is well aware of investment being the biggest challenge to improvement. The issue has strained partnership initiatives with the health sector.

The report calls for wider community care.

Sue Fiennes, director of social care and strategic housing, admitted services for older people needed 'a lot of attention'.

The council has funding for some of that work and some of the key plans and developments have been previewed in the Hereford Times.

The council is also heavily involved in the £5 million plans for homes for the elderly at Unity Garden, Hereford.

Children's services were praised for its 'strong leadership' which produced 'tangible results' particularly in child protection and those in the council's care.