AN MP believes there is now hope in a battle to keep a care home open.

It was announced last week that Gracelands Nursing Home, in Guisborough, would have to close with the loss of 120 beds.

It followed news of the imminent closure of Nessfield Care Home, in Nunthorpe, and the recent closure of St David's Care Home, owned by BUPA, which was shut after being damaged by fire.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has described the borough's situation as a crisis and said the home should not be closed until places are found for all the residents.

But Barry Parvin, proprietor of the Gracelands home, has blamed the closure on staffing problems and said the council and Langbaurgh NHS Trust were not paying enough money for him to pay his staff above the minimum wage.

But MP Ashok Kumar now believes there is a sign of hope in the battle to keep the home open, following a meeting last Friday between Mr Parvin and his wife, representatives of Redcar and Cleveland social services department and the Langbaurgh NHS Trust.

At the conclusion, all parties confirmed their commitment to trying to keep the home open while options were explored.

"These are early days yet, but I am encouraged by the fact that Mr and Mrs Parvin have said they are prepared to consider the proposals that will be put to them by the NHS and social services," said Dr Kumar.

Jon Chadwick, chief executive of the trust and Maurice Bates, director of social services for the council, in a joint statement, said: "Our top concern is the welfare of the residents and we will do anything in our power to provide the right accommodation for them.

"We are working closely with the home owners to try and keep it open.

"We understand the families will be anxious and concerned and we are available to meet with them and talk to them."