Demand for talks on future of care home

The family of the oldest resident in a closure-threatened Black Country care home say they are disappointed council officials have not held talks with relatives over the plan.

And campaigners fighting to keep it open today said they were eager to speak with a high flying lawyer as they try to make councillors reconsider their decision.

New Bradley Hall in Kingswinford has been earmarked for closure within three years along with New Bridge House, in Coseley, New Swinford Hall, in Stourbridge and Shenstone House, in Halesowen.

Bosses say the closure plans have not been drawn up as a result of budget cuts but to help keep elderly people independent. Great grandmother-of-eight Hilda Turner, aged 103, has been living at New Bradley Hall, in Compton Drive for the past nine years.

Her daughter, Jane Fasey, today said it would be a "wicked shame" if the care home was to shut its doors.