NEW homes will have to be found for elderly residents of a Thornton-in-Craven nursing home after its closure was announced this week.

The owners of Cromwells, in Church Road, have told residents and their families that they hope to work closely with local authorities to find new homes within 28 days.

Owner Terry Pryke told the Herald there was no other option but to close the home.

He said: "Owing to acute shortages in the private sector for nurses, and the new Government guidelines for nursing home referrals, we are finding it impossible to continue as a nursing home so therefore we have no alternative other than to close the home."

But he added: "We shall continue with our existing residential home - Thornton Hill - and are hoping to convert the nursing home into residential care."

Earby resident Jack Heald, whose mother Annie is a resident at Cromwells and celebrates her 101st birthday next month, said the action was "deplorable".

"Had it been a local authority home there would have been protests and people waving banners in the street. I think a month's notice is totally inadequate. It's very sad when people of advancing years have to be trawled around like lumps of meat."

The Herald has learnt that 25 members of staff who work at the home will face possible redundancy. In total, 75 people work either for the residential home and/or the nursing home and some of the staff who work in both areas could also face a cut in their working hours.

However, it is believed once the owners are able to re-register Cromwells as a residential home, those who are made redundant might be reinstated.

It is believed the owners plan to reopen the home for use by the elderly mentally disabled including those suffering from illnesses such as Alzheimer's Disease.

Penny Jones, executive director of planning for North Yorkshire Health Authority, said: "Care managers from North Yorkshire County Council social services and from Colne are working with families, residents and staff to make sure people get appropriate alternative homes.

"The manager and nursing home's inspectorate are satisfied that the proper warning has been given.

"We understand how distressing the move is for people, but if you cannot have the levels of staffing necessary, you cannot provide safe care. From the health authority's point of view, you have to make sure there is the right level of staffing. Clearly the owners would not have taken this decision if they did not have to."