THE family of a woman with schizophrenia have spoken of their distress at learning she is to be moved to a care home more than 130 miles away.

Tina Banton, aged 41, is currently a resident at Lea Court Nursing Home, on Hawleys Lane, Dallam and has been living in the home under one-to-one supervision for the past four years.

But the home is closing its provision to women to become a single-sex unit and Tina's family has been told by Warrington Primary Care Trust and Social Services that a care home in Darlington is the nearest option.

Tina's father, Stan, aged 57, of Mossdale Close in Whittle Hall, said: "They are saying that there is nowhere in Warrington or the surrounding areas to accommodate her and the only place we have been offered is in Darlington.

"We were not consulted about this in a formal manner, only finding out about it by a letter we received on January 11 and my daughter has not been given a choice.

"They are sending her for a 60-day trial but we are worried that once she goes, there is no way back.

"All her family support will be lost."

Tina's sister, Donna, aged 35, of Hodgkinson Avenue in Dallam, added: "My family are desperate for this not to happen.

"We see Tina every week, we take her out and it is how she socialises but they will deny her all this."

A spokeswoman for Warrington PCT said: "A suitable facility has been identified, however this is out of our area but we are continuing to work with our colleagues in social care and the family to ensure that all other options have in fact been fully exhausted before finalising any arrangements.

"The aim would always be to bring the patient back to the local area as soon as it is clinically possible."

A Warrington Borough Council spokesman added: "Despite concerted efforts by the PCT and council to find an alternative care provider in Warrington, there is no other provider in the north west who can meet the very complex and intensive needs of this patient."

Warrington South MP Helen Southworth has met with the family and agreed to bring up the matter with the chief executive of Warrington PCT.