Elderly residents of a care home for the blind and partially sighted were reduced to tears after learning their "home for life" is closing its doors.

Around 20 residents of Pocklington House in Eastbury Avenue, Northwood, must find alternative accommodation when the facility closes later this year.

A BBC radio 4 report discovered the average age of residents in the building is over 90 and several have passed 100.

Among them was 92-year-old Nuala Black who moved to Pocklington House from Potters Bar two years ago.

She said: "I was assured it was a home for life, I didn't want to cause my family any distress - they'd no experience of blindness, any more than I had - I just didn't want to be a burden on my own loving family.

"Everybody is suffering, see old ladies over a hundred, four of them we had there, actually in tears and even two days ago still in tears because she hasn't found a home yet, a suitable place. So I'm heartbroken for other people."

The home was opened in 1961 but according to Pocklington Trust chief executive Peter Corbett now needs such extensive repair to make it fit for purpose including a complete overhaul of the heating and hot water system.

He said: "We've been focusing very carefully for at least the last 10 years on making sure that the building was maintained to the best standard that we possibly could.

"Unfortunately, there comes a time when more significant maintenance needs to be carried out.

Mr Corbett added there were no concrete plans for the future of building but denied it would be sold off.

He said: "This absolutely isn't a financial decision and as you will know, if you've looked at our numbers, we have the money to do the refurbishment, it isn't a question of the money, it's a question of looking after frail elderly people in the best way that we possibly can."