A NURSING home, which was threatened with closure after its owners decided to wind up business operations, has been taken over by a group based in Worcestershire.

St Cloud Care, which has taken over Lickhill Manor Nursing Home, Lower Lickhill Road, Stourport, from Hollyfern, has promised a major refurbishment programme of the Grade 2 listed building and the employment of up to four more part and full-time staff.

Philip Connell, a director of St Cloud, said: "Lickhill Manor has enjoyed an excellent reputation locally and we look forward to building on that.

"All the staff at Lickhill Manor have shown tremendous loyalty to the home through a difficult period and we felt with such strong support, Lickhill will have excellent future prospects."

He added that the firm was not looking to extend the capacity of the home from its current maximum of 36 people.