METHODIST Homes has withdrawn the threatened closure of Lancaster's Wesley House much to the relief of its elderly residents.

Chief executive of Methodist Homes for the Aged, Barbara Leighton, has written to the 40 residents apologising for the "anxiety, stress and hurt" and confirming that the threat of closure had been "withdrawn."

The Citizen revealed three weeks ago how the elderly residents had been left distraught by the shock decision to close Wesley House, which is situated on Sulyard Street just off Dalton Square.

But the good news has been warmly received by the residents and also Lancaster's MP Hilton Dawson who spoke out against the closure.

The MP said this week: "The elderly residents of Wesley House have had the experience of being told that their home will close, to the introduction of a consultation period where closure was an option to the withdrawal of the option of closure.

"The caring people of Lancaster have made a difference."

All of the residents who spoke with The Citizen when we broke the story welcomed the news. Resident Mary Floyd summed up all their views when she commented: "This is the best news possible. We were all very worried about what was going to happen and now they've had a change of heart the future looks brighter."

Gary Woof, whose mother is a resident, gave the news a cautious welcome. "We are obviously relieved but I think we have to monitor this and have representation at all meetings in the future."