A Kington care home for vulnerable elderly people will close in the summer barring a miracle.

Shocked residents, family members and staff were told of the closure plan at Kingswood Hall at a meeting on Tuesday evening.

Twenty-eight elderly people, including two who are over 100, will be displaced. The property, site of the former Kington workhouse, is likely to be sold. South Shropshire Housing Association (SSHA), the owners, yesterday denied they have plans to redevelop the land.

SSHA, which bought Kingswood from county Social Services five years ago, says the future of the popular home has been "scuppered by decisions taken elsewhere."

Contracts lost

Kingswood is losing Social Services contracts for day care service, outreach meals and bed space to the new Kington health facility to be run by Blanchworth Care, the replacement for Kington Cottage Hospital, which opens in April.

Kingswood has been running up annual losses in the region of £30,000 a year. SSHA is expecting a thumping loss of "well over £100,000" in the next financial year.

Ludlow-based SSHA has begun a one-month consultation period. It will "listen to ideas" in a last bid to save the much loved home.

But association chiefs say they are not optimistic. "We have been trying to find a way forward for two years and we believe we have left no stone unturned, " said Jen Bradbury, community services director.

"We are really very sad at having to do this. The residents and relatives tell us that we have provided an excellent service with an excellent staff, so it is particularly sad."

Ms Bradbury said SSHA was determined to "minimise disruption and potential trauma for residents." She added: "We don't want to rush or railroad people. We want to ensure they have enough time to make dignified choices for their future."

The home was expected to close by August/September but could close sooner if there was an "exodus" of residents and staff, she said.

Yesterday, Dick Funnell, chairman of the Kingswood Hall residents and relatives association, said he was seeking a meeting with Herefordshire Council leader Terry James in a bid to find a way of saving Kingswood.

Mr Funnell said people at Tuesday's meeting had received news of closure with "disbelief." A home which was "tried, tested and trusted" and was constantly praised in reports for its high standards was being allowed to fold because public resources were being diverted to an unknown new facility.

He attacked "short sighted" decision makers. "If Kingswood closes and the Blanchworth facility becomes full where then do we put our elderly relatives when they can't look after themselves?"