Reprieve for Lady Forester nursing home?

A Shropshire nursing home threatened with closure is on the brink of being saved as bosses expect a deal to be completed, it was revealed today.

Health chiefs at the Lady Forester Community Nursing Home in Much Wenlock have revealed they are "absolutely convinced" a deal will be done to safeguard it - handing a lifeline to residents.

The home, along with 10 flats on the site, was due to shut in January after site owners ExtraCare announced plans to sell up.

But ExtraCare today confirmed the site was likely to remain open under new owners - with bosses hinting a deal will be struck when the public consultation period ends this weekend.

ExtraCare chief executive Nick Abbey said: "I am absolutely convinced that we will be able to do a deal and that the facility in Much Wenlock will remain open.

"More than one person has made themselves known to us that they want to carry on the running of the home and I am hugely optimistic that the facility will be able to remain open.

"I am optimistic that the home, and Forester's Court, will be able to carry on under different ownership and that there will be no need for closure.

"I have promised to write to all residents on August 2 to confirm where we have got to.

"I think that will be the best for all parties and I hope the people locally feel the same way about it.

"I think this is a perfect example of where the consultation period has brought about the desired result."

Melissa Dickinson, whose 90-year-old grandmother Noreen Dickinson is a resident at the home, said she was delighted with the news.

"If this does happen it will be absolutely wonderful," she said.