A HOME near Wool that has provided specialist care for adults with learning difficulties for decades will close today.

Privately-owned Purbeck Care, a large Elizabethan manor house at East Stoke, had been home to 23 residents, aged from their early 20s to late 60s. A notice of closure was announced 28 days ago, in line with regulations, after attempts to secure a buyer for the business proved unsuccessful.

One relative of a resident of six years, who asked not to be named, said: “Some of the people have lived there for decades, it is such an upheaval for them.”

Ahead of last month’s announced closure, a restructuring and insolvency team at Moore Stephens International Limited had been working to find a buyer for the home.

Duncan Swift, of Moore Stephens, who insisted all residents would be rehomed, said: “Despite the best efforts of everyone involved and an intensive marketing process, it has not been possible to secure a purchaser for Purbeck Care.

“We would like to thank the staff at the home for working so hard during what has been a very difficult period for them.”