A FRINTON care home has been forced to close leaving elderly residents looking for new homes.

The Anna Victoria Nursing Home, owned and run by Christian Charity Pilgrims’ Friend Society, has been under consultation for the last month.

Owners were searching a way to keep it open after struggling to recruit nursing staff, but they have now admitted defeat.

The decision was announced at a meeting between bosses, staff, residents and family members on December 5.

Some devastated residents broke down in tears when they were told they would have to leave their home before Christmas.

The home will close its doors for good on December 20.

A Pilgrims’ Friend Society spokesman said: “This been prompted by the continuing challenges we face in recruiting registered nurses.

“We did everything in our power to address the problem. We moved staff temporarily from our other homes, but clearly this was not a permanent solution.

“Our understanding is that recruitment is a persistent challenge as qualified nurses seem to be in short supply in the area. Even local agencies have had difficulty at times in supplying us with nurses.

“The consultation process was to encourage those involved to come up with ideas that could help, but nothing was put forward that would enable us to keep the home open as a nursing home.

“We are very sad at having to make this decision, but clearly a nursing home needs to have qualified nursing staff.”

No decision has been made on the future of the building yet.