A residential home for disabled young people at St Ives has been bought by a national care homes company.

Elder Homes Group has taken on the St Ives Care Home in Harden, which has 59 beds in an adapted mansion house on the estate.

The home is one of five across Bingley and Bradford bought recently by Elder.

The others cater for the elderly and people with mental illnesses.

David Messenger, managing director of Elder who received the Highly Commended award at the 2009 National Care Awards, has invested heavily in renovating all the homes. He has introduced technology such as sensory rooms and employed landscape gardeners.

He has also bought Nintendo Wii consoles for each home, to encourage residents to interact and take on mental and physical challenges.

Elder said it was providing a viable alternative to independent care based on high standards of service, environment and overall care quality.