THE axe was today due to fall on another York nursing home.

Laurens Manor owner Tony Tait confirmed last month his cash-strapped care home would close on December 18.

He hopes to sell the Lawrence Street land to developers under plans to build 24 plush new flats.

Mr Tait gave more than 20 frail residents one month to pack their bags, sparking fears among anxious relatives they may not be able to find new homes before Christmas.

However, one relative the Evening Press contacted last night said he believed everyone had now secured 11th-hour accommodation.

John Pearson, whose mother, Gertrude, recently celebrated her 100th birthday in the York home, said he had found her a place at Wheldrake.

Mr Pearson, from Wetherby, said: "We visited Laurens Manor at the weekend and there were about seven residents there. We understand everyone is more or less fixed up."

Christine Metcalfe has found her mother, Freda Watts, an 82-year-old Alzheimer's sufferer, a bed at Strensall.

Christine, of Osbaldwick, said: "Two or three residents have gone there from Laurens Manor. I don't know where we would have gone if we'd not got in. So many other homes were full.

"We're just so relieved we've found somewhere for mum. It should make Christmas a little bit easier."

Mrs Metcalfe thanked social services for their help.

Mr Tait yesterday declined to comment further on the closure. He has blamed the "heartbreaking" decision on a cash crisis, spiralling red tape and lack of council support, a claim the council denies.

Plans to demolish private Laurens Manor for flats were put on hold last week after councillors branded them "atrocious" and compared them with 1950s army barracks.

They asked the applicant to return with revised proposals for the Victorian building.

Updated: 11:06 Thursday, December 18, 2003