THE recovery plan to tackle weaknesses in Swindon Council's social services department could cost nearly £500,000, it was warned last night.

A report by Government-appointed external inspectors is due either tomorrow or Monday and is expected to criticise the way the department is run.

The report is likely to propose a major shake-up of parts of the service.

But director of social services Marie Seaton told cabinet meeting members those changes will not come cheap.

She said costs implementing the action plan following a similar inspection of South Gloucestershire Council were £450,000, while a London borough forked out £750,000 to meet recommendations.

Swindon's service is expected to fall short on care for the elderly, with many local nursing homes in crisis due to the low fees the borough pays.

Many of the problems come down to a lack of money from central government set against increasingly demanding legislation.

Mrs Seaton said: "We don't know what's in the report yet and how much it will cost us, but South Gloucestershire is a similar sized authority to us so the costs are likely to be similar."