PLANS to close Highfields House old people's home in Biddulph have come under fire from local county councillor Christina Jebb.

Social service chiefs say the home is expensive to run because of its size, age and design, costing £450 a week for each resident compared with a county average of £303.

Residents and relatives have been consulted about the planned closure, which is due to take place by April 1999.

Mrs Jebb is concerned about difficulties relatives could face from having to visit other local authority homes miles from Biddulph.

"When Highfields closes there will not be another local authority home between Silverdale and Leek, apart from Chell,'' she said.

"Many relatives of residents who are in Highfields House may be elderly themselves, and rely on bus services. It isn't possible to travel easily by bus to Silverdale, Leek or Cheadle.

"I'm concerned people may become isolated and lonely if it is too difficult for their relatives to visit.

''If the closure must go ahead residents must be given a choice of a private home near relatives and friends, which the county council must be prepared to pay for.''

A county council spokesman said Highfields House was not suitable as a home for the elderly, and the closure would be phased.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.