A STOURPORT residential home is to shut and its residents will be relocated, sparking fears of a drop in the number of beds for pensioners in the town.

Up to 32 elderly people will be moved when Areley House, on Areley Lane, closes its doors in July next year.

They will go to another home owned by current leaseholders of Areley House, Heart of England Housing and Care Ltd, or to other accommodation within the district.

But concerns are rife that the other Heart of England site, Ravenhurst House on Lickhill Road North, could be full when residents finally come to leave Areley House.

Worcestershire county councillor for Stourport John Gordon said: "There is no guarantee that there will be vacancies at Ravenhurst come next July.

"When Heart of England took up Areley House we were given an assurance they would provide alternative accommodation for when the home closed. Ravenhurst could well not be enough."

Liz Davies, leader of Wyre Forest District Council, said: "We may see a situation where residents will be separated from their families and home town."

Heart of England had agreed to lease Areley House from the county council on a five-year agreement.

Spokesman Simon Brader said it was always the firm's intention to move when the lease expired - a point made clear to residents, as Areley House could not - as a listed building - undergo essential expansion work.

The option of building a new home was explored, he added, but was ruled out as too expensive. Ravenhurst was purchased shortly afterwards.

Mr Brader said: "There will be a phased closure put in place over a period of months.

"Residents will be placed through ourselves, social services or with another care provider. It will be as smooth and stress free as possible."

Mr Brader said Ravenhurst is all but full at the present time, with about 35 of the 40 beds taken. Areley House is currently home to 24 people but can take a maximum 32.

Of the other residential homes in Stourport, The Grange, on Minster Road, has a waiting list while a spokeswoman for Dunley Hall, in Dunley, said the home was always "95 per cent" full.