CAMPAIGNERS have accused their MP of failing to support them in their fight to save a Guisborough nursing home.

About 40 relatives of residents in Graceland Care Home attended a public meeting at the cricket club on Saturday to find out the latest position.

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Dr Ashok Kumar was invited, along with all borough councillors, social services officials and representatives from Langbaurgh Primary Care Trust.

Many of those at the meeting were angry that Dr Kumar failed to attend and criticised his apparent lack of support. They were also disappointed that only four councillors turned up.

A spokesman for Dr Kumar told the D&S Times he had been unable to attend because of the short notice given and he had prior engagements.

He added: "Obviously we want to keep the home open, but the main responsibility for that lies with Mr Parvin and those who provide the funding.

"Offers of help have been made by Langbaurgh PCT and Redcar and Cleveland social services, and we hope they can be followed through to a satisfactory conclusion for everybody concerned."

Barry Parvin, owner of Graceland for 17 years, said that he intended to keep the home open for as long as possible. "As long as the council and the primary care trust are helping us, I am sure we can do that.

"The trust has now admitted that this is a funding issue and realises we are not an isolated case. We are trying to work with it to solve the problem instead of fighting against it.

Ann Langley, chairman of the residents' action group, urged relatives to ask Dr Kumar to lobby the Government for funding. "We need to lobby now. It's not just this home here; it's across the county and across the country."

Her husband Derek, who chaired the meeting, said the action group had written to Dr Kumar and all borough councillors asking for their backing, but had had no replies.

Coun Mike Findley, the borough older people's champion said: "The council will do all it can to keep this home open, but the one thing we cannot do is give the funding - that comes from central Government.

"The people you should be having a go at are the MPs.