THE elderly couple facing separation because their nursing home is to close have suddenly been given only two days to leave, the family claimed today.

Winifred and Arthur Neal live at Dower House Nursing and Residential Home, in Escrick, which was due to close on December 7.

They hit the headlines when their daughter, Patricia Wilkinson, told the Evening Press she could not find another home which would give Winifred 24-hour care and also allow Arthur to live independently.

Patricia said her sister, Caroline Gilderdale, received a phone call yesterday afternoon saying the couple - who have been married for more than half a century - had to move out tomorrow.

Patricia said: "We were originally told the home was shutting on December 7 and we had until then.

"We've got something organised for mum now, but nothing suitable for my father.

"I don't think you can tell someone they've got until the 7th and then suddenly give them two days' notice."

She said the family had been planning to redecorate their father's old home and move him back in, with visiting carers, but it would not be ready by tomorrow.

Her husband, Peter, said: "It was bad enough initially, but to have this thrown at you...

"You cannot treat people like that. It's outrageous."

The closure is one of several in the region being partly blamed on government funding shortfalls.

Peter Van Herrewege, managing director of Prime Life, which owns Dower House, today declined to comment on the Neal's case, saying he had to respect their confidentiality.

But he said all clients of Dower House had been offered alternative accommodation and had been dealt with appropriately.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire social services said today it had contacted the home and had been told that it was encouraging residents to leaver sooner rather than later.

Updated: 10:49 Thursday, November 22, 2001