THE Sue Ryder care home in Ely is set to close its doors for the final time at the end of January. The home, which is based at the Old Palace adjacent to Ely Cathedral, has been caring for people with life-limiting illnesses including Alzheimer s and Park

THE Sue Ryder care home in Ely is set to close its doors for the final time at the end of January.

The home, which is based at the Old Palace adjacent to Ely Cathedral, has been caring for people with life-limiting illnesses including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, for more than 20 years but will be closed at the end of January due the impact of the recession on the charity.

The majority of the care home's 40 residents have been moved into alternative accommodation in the region, with just a handful still residing at the impressive medieval building.

It is understood that the King's School is interested in taking over the lease on the building and is in talks with estate agents about the possibility of moving in.

News that the home could be closing was announced in July after the charity revealed that the Old Palace would need a staggering �8 million to bring it up to standard in line with incoming Government guidelines.

The impact of the recession had already taken its toll on the charity's donations and it was announced that the care home had been running at a loss of �240,000.

Other options to keep the centre open were explored during a three-month consultation, but no viable solution was subsequently found and plans to close the centre were put in place.

A spokesman for the charity, confirmed that five residents were still living at the centre but arrangements had been made to have them transferred to other facilities in the coming days and weeks.

The spokesman also confirmed that the charity had been working closely with local authorities and families to ensure that suitable and convenient accommodation had been found for all residents affected by the decision to close the care home.

A spokesperson for the King's School said: "All I can confirm at this stage is that negotiations between the King's School and Sue Ryder Care over the acquisition of the lease of the Bishop's Palace continue.