THREE women threatened with eviction from their sheltered accommodation in Stow are due to meet with managers today in a bid to resolve the situation.

The trio, all in their 90s, have been sent letters claiming they are too disruptive and blaming them for the home's inability to retain housekeeping staff.

One letter sent to Ceila Gill, aged 94, by John Kennell, chairman of the Stow and District Abbeyfield Society's executive committee, says: "You have become so disruptive that the family spirit we try to engender in the house has been badly eroded and the welfare of other residents has been seriously affected.

"As a result it is highly likely that we shall have to close the house within the next two months."

Yet the Abbeyfield Society nationally is countering fears that the home in King's Arms Lane will close and says moves are being made to find staff.

Mark Lister, the society's national head of fund-raising and marketing, said: "We are working with the local Abbeyfield Society to resolve the issue so that there is certainly no need for closure.

"The housekeeper has a crucial role and the local society has reported that the difficulty in recruiting a housekeeper has been influenced by some incidents.

"The society is working to resolve that with a view to restoring the harmonious environment."

Miss Gill, Anita Merrett, aged 92, and a third woman, also aged 94, have all been sent warning letters.

Miss Gill told the Journal: "It is disgraceful. I was very angry." She added: "I'm not a nuisance. I just don't know what they are on about."

Her letter from the Abbeyfield Society concluded: "Any further disruptive behaviour will result in immediate termination of your tenancy agreement by the society."

Mr Lister said this followed the society's correct procedure of a written warning following two verbal warnings, but added: "It is not a notice of termination of residency."

He said the society was due to meet with the women and social services today to find a solution to the problem.