Care homes across Devon will receive more than £1m of Government funding for improvements.

A total of £1.3m has been allocated to private and voluntary sector residential care providers of services for people with dementia and mental health needs in Devon.

The funding has come from the Department of Health's Dignity in Care programme following a successful Devon County Council bid.

The county council invited care homes to put forward suggestions on how they could improve their care home environment.

Seventy-nine homes have been chosen by the county council to receive a share of the funding.

These successful care homes will receive funding from £5,000 to £20,000 depending on their proposals.

Councillor John Rawlinson, Devon County Council's executive member for Adult and Community Services, said: "In evaluating the responses, we were looking specifically at how we could improve the quality of life for people with dementia and mental health needs in residential homes.

"It's great news that Devon's bid has been successful because now these care homes can get to work on their wish lists to improve their buildings and facilities, which has to be great news for people using the services."

A list of the 79 care homes is available from the county council, including their allocation of funding.

The Department of Health's Dignity in Care programme aims to improve the quality of life for care home residents.