Bosses of a care home have promised not to close it until all the elderly residents have found new homes.

Staff and residents at The Crown Care Home, pictured, in Harwell, near Didcot, were told this month that the residential home — taken over by Four Seasons Health Care following the collapse of Southern Cross last year — will close, with a three-month timetable set.

The General Municpal and Boilermakers Union (GMB), which represents staff at the care home, is seeking talks over the decision after claiming there had been months of uncertainity about the home’s future.

But Four Seasons Health Care spokesman Sarah Ramamurthy said: “Managers at The Crown Care Home have met residents and their relatives to inform them that Four Seasons Health Care intends to cease operating the home in the future.

“Staff members, the local authority and the Care Quality Commission have previously been informed.

“We will not cease to operate the home until suitable arrangements are made for the ongoing care of all residents. This may take about three months.”

She said staff have been offered the chance to switch to other Four Seasons Health Care Homes but did not give a reason why Four Seasons had taken the decision.

GMB spokesman Justin Bowden said: “The residents and care staff at the Crown were transferred from Southern Cross to Four Seasons on October 31 after nearly six months of uncertainty and anxiety as to their future — it seems that residents have less rights than squatters.

“GMB will seek urgent talks with Four Seasons and social services to get to the bottom of why this home is closing.”

One source at the home said: “There are seven residents at the moment and they are all in their 80s and 90s — some of them have been here for years. I was told that the home would close on June 1.

“I have now got three months to find a new job but this is particularly sad for residents who have to find somewhere else to live.”