A GROUP which lobbies for pensioners' rights has welcomed a U-turn on plans to force dementia sufferers to move out of their care home.

The Sentinel revealed yesterday how Stoke-on-Trent City Council has scrapped plans to move residents out of Marrow House, in Meir Hay.

It will instead stop admitting new residents and close once current residents die or move into nursing care.

North Staffordshire Pensioners' Convention, which threatened to take legal action over the move, has now thanked the council.

Co-ordinator Andy Day said: "The council has shown humanity towards residents in Marrow House whose relatives have been worried sick about their future.

"We congratulate them for that."

The U-turn will cost the council £334,000 as it prepares for budget cuts of £24 million. Cash reserves will be used to cover the shortfall.

St Michael's, in Chell, and the Meadows, in Bucknall, will still close as care homes, despite being classed as centres of excellence.

The Meadows will be used as a facility for adults with learning difficulties, while St Michael's will be used for rehabilitation care.

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