A HOME for deaf and blind people in Malvern is reopening its doors after nearly two years.

Deaf-blind charity Sense announced the closure of the Tanglewood home, Albert Road South, in June 2003.

The charity said the closure was forced by the home's deficit of £60,000 a year.

The seven elderly residents, some of whom had lived there for up to two decades, had to be found new homes.

It is being reopened to provide seven places for younger deaf-blind people, who also suffer from other disabilities.

Sense spokesman Stephen Rooney said the home had been completely refurbished and modernised to cope with residents' needs.

He said: "It's a sad fact, but there are inequalities in the funding system. There just isn't as much money for the care of older people as there is for younger people."

He said the charity relied on statutory funding from health authorities or social services for providing its care homes.

He added that the former Tanglewood residents had been moved to new homes by Sense, working with social services.

On Tuesday, April 12, Sense held an open day at Malvern Theatres for people interested in working at the newly-reopened home.

Mr Rooney said the charity was looking for 21 new support workers at the home.

Tanglewood had 20 staff when it closed down in 2003.