FAMILIES have reacted furiously after they say their elderly relatives were told they had six hours to leave their care home before its shock closure.

Relatives said they were telephoned yesterday afternoon and told that 15 pensioners, all women, some suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's Disease, had to leave the private Astley House Care Home, Whitehall Road, Darwen, by 8pm.

They and social services had to gather belongings together and urgently try to find places for the women to stay.

The website of the regulatory body, the Commission for Social Care, said the home provides care for people with mental disorder aged over 65.

It was first registered in 1988 and the care providers are listed as a company named Brightcrest Ltd.

The company could not be contacted for comment but when the Lancashire Telegraph went to Astley House, John Waters, who said he was a marketing consultant employed by the home's owners, came to the door.

He said: "The company has gone into liquidation and that's why they are being moved.

"We were told at 10am this morning and 15 jobs have been lost."

Families said they were puzzled by the sudden closure since planning permission had recently been given for conversion of the building to a 36-bedroom care home with nursing.

A member of staff, who did not want to be named, said: "We were under the impression these new buildings were for our residents.

"All the families rallied together thinking it was the best thing for their relatives.

"I have been there and I have seen people crying and I think it's just disgraceful.

"They know the staff. They look on the staff as their family.

"We are absolutely devastated."

Relatives of the residents said they started receiving calls from Blackburn with Darwen Council social services representatives at about 2pm telling them the women had hours to pack up and leave.

Colin Elsworth, 55, of Darwen, whose mum Alice, 84, lived at the home, said: "There's some very poorly people up there.

"We are absolutely devastated and so are the staff. They are all crying - it's just awful."

June Brocklebank, of Harwood Street, daughter-in-law of resident Jenny Brocklebank, 79, said: "She's only been there for three months but she's really settled and really happy.

"We came here independently because it was a more homely atmosphere.

"She had been living at home with us until then."

James Harwood, 64, of Marsh House Lane was at the home helping his mother-in-law, 86-year-old Emily Cotton, move into another home.

He said: "We've had just a few hours notice. The staff didn't know until this morning and they were shocked as well."

Lorraine Murray, 43, of Turncroft Road, was helping her mother-in-law Nellie Murray, 80, pack her belongings.

She said: "My mother-in-law and her friend used to sing together and walk around together but now they are being split up."

Coun David Foster, the executive member for adult services and Whitehall councillor, said: "We have got sympathy for the staff and more so for the residents and their families.

"That was their home. They are going to have to move out.

"Our staff have been doing their best to find them appropriate places."