THE Malvern house where US president Franklin D Roosevelt once stayed as a child could soon become a children's home.

Aldwyn Tower, in St Ann's Road, was a grand hotel when the child who was to become the 31st president of the United States, stayed there in 1889.

In recent years, the Grade II listed building was used as a nursing home. A bid to turn it into a guesthouse failed last month.

Planning permission was turned down because the road was too narrow to support increased traffic and parking.

Owner Jonathan Roe of Victoria Road, Malvern, said he would now be forced to put the building to use under its original planning category as a residential institution.

"After consultation with experts, it would appear the structure of the building is unsuitable for the elderly," he said.

"I'm considering using Aldwyn Tower as either a home for disabled people or a children's home."

Aldwyn Tower Nursing Home would be marketed through a national agent specialising in the letting of care homes.

"We would like to know what is going to happen, and when it's definite we'll formulate some attitude," said neighbour Philip Evans.

, who favoured the plan for a guest house.