A DOOMED Barnardo's home at Tadcaster has been given a last-minute reprieve, it was revealed today.

But instead of celebrating the surprise stay of execution, youngsters at the Wighill Lane care home reacted by smashing windows and doors.

Barnardo's bosses, who described the situation as a "total fiasco", said the children were distressed, confused and angry.

The charity's assistant director for children's homes, Toni Johnston, said: "It's been a disaster from start to finish.

"We've had windows and doors smashed and children refusing to go to bed at night. It's been a very difficult time and things haven't calmed down yet."

It was only a fortnight ago that Barnardo's announced the Tadcaster centre would shut in June after Leeds City Council withdrew its £750,000-a-year funding. Today the charity issued a statement saying the home was not closing after all following a decision by council chiefs to continue the funding.

But despite the U-turn, the home was said to be in turmoil because the children "no longer have any commitment" to their Tadcaster base.

The Evening Press can reveal that it was a blunder by senior council officers that led to the U-turn.

Leeds City Council's social services department drew up a plan to end the Tadcaster home's contract and make alternative arrangements for the care of the youngsters in Leeds.

But they failed to follow correct procedures by not consulting the children or their parents.

The contract will now be honoured until its expiry date in 2004.

Sherry Bradley, executive councillor for social services in Leeds, said officers had admitted "an error of serious professional judgement", which had caused unnecessary distress to children and staff at the Tadcaster unit.

She told the Evening Press: "I'm furious at how this has been handled. The process was significantly flawed."

Ms Johnston said: "I don't think the children will ever recover from this rejection. Staff are having to work very hard to keep things in check."

The care home has been criticised by residents, who blame youngsters there for alleged anti-social behaviour in Tadcaster.

But Ms Johnston said: "These children have severe difficulties which can spill over into the local community, but we try hard to minimise that."

Updated: 15:43 Friday, February 15, 2002