THE proprietor of a doomed Blackwell nursing home has spoken of his upset at being forced to close just days before Christmas.

Stephen Lees, owner of Leahyrst Nursing Home, revealed to the Advertiser/Messenger the "all round nightmare" he had faced having to notify his 23 residents they would have to find alternative accommodation.

The closure follows more than eight years of financial difficulties at the privately-run Greenhill nursing home.

Nine pensioners have found alternative housing, although 14 are still waiting to be re-housed.

Mr Lees said: "I have been so stressed financially.

"There has been a negative cash flow year after year, and after eight years I cannot cope anymore.

"A study by the top nursing home financial inspectors has shown that registered nursing homes -- which we are one -- lose approximately £60 per resident, per week. That may not sound like too much, but we have 23 residents for 52 weeks a year, which year after year adds up.

"The business is now worth less than half the amount I have invested into it."

However, he also said he knows he is not alone in his situation: "I have a friend who runs a nursing home in Worcester and he is in very much the same situation as myself.

"Although his home is not yet closing he is finding it very difficult to keep afloat."