THE number of people suffering with dementia in Colchester and Tendring is set to jump by almost 2,000 in the next eight years.

Fresh figures released by the Alzheimer’s Society show the number of sufferers is projected to increase from 5,505 currently, to 7,225 by 2021.

The figures have been released alongside a report by the charity, which found 70 per cent of people in the East of England said they would be very or fairy scared about going into a care home later in life.

Less than half of respondents also said relatives in care homes have a good quality of life.

In the East of England, there are 1,878 care homes, with 50,492 places available.

The report also found at least 80 per cent of care home residents have dementia or severe memory problems.