A RESCUE package has been approved for a closure-threatened Widnes care home.

A final decision now rests with the owners.

Halton Council yesterday pledged to buy Madeline McKenna Court and team up with Community Integrated Care to jointly manage the Caxton Close development.

The decision has been met with tears of joy from anxious families who feared their loved ones could be homeless by Christmas after current owners Your Housing Group said the home was no longer ‘financially viable’.

Val Grainger from Upton Rocks, whose mum, Joyce Lowles, 87, has dementia and is a resident, said: “I am absolutely ecstatic.

“I can’t believe the relief. It is overwhelming.

“I feel quite emotional. It would have been catastrophic if we had to move mum.”

Families faced the upheaval and stress of relocating their relatives outside Halton if the home had closed.

Many feared the health of their loved ones, many with dementia, could have suffered.

“The residents have formed friendships with each other in their own way,” added Val. “They are very comfortable and settled.

“The staff live for the residents. They are so affectionate and kind.

“We want to thank Halton Council for working so hard on our behalf.

“It means our mum and other residents can continue living in the home they have been in for many years.”

Jacqui Carman’s mum, Ethel Moore, 94, was one of the first residents and has lived at Madeline McKenna for 24 years.

She said: “This is the best news ever.

“I just home that Your Housing Group will now accept the proposal and that the families can rest assured that their relatives are going to continue to receive the best possible care at Madeline McKenna.”

A decision to buy the 23 bedroom residential home was taken by the council’s executive board yesterday after months of negotiation.

Halton Council leader Rob Polhill said: “We wanted to do all we could to save this home.

“It is very important to keep it open.”

John Cogbill, executive director for Core Housing at Your Housing Group, said: “We welcome the interest from Halton Borough Council to buy Madeline McKenna Court.

“Any proposals to buy the care home must be considered in line with the guidelines set out by the Homes and Communities Agency but we are committed to fully exploring these options and will review the bid along with the outcomes of the consultation which ended today.

 “The report from the consultation will be presented to our board at the end of June and we will inform residents and their families of the decision at the earliest possible opportunity.”