SOUTH Dorset MP Jim Knight has vowed to fight for the residents of a doomed Swanage care home.

Twenty-two James Day home residents and their relatives were left “devastated and angry” following shock news the home was to close in two months.

Families fear the closure, announced by residential care provider Care South after Dorset County Council raised the rent by 30 per cent, will have a devastating impact on their loved ones.

Some residents could be moved out of Swanage and the jobs of 46 full and part-time staff at the Ulwell Road home are threatened.

Mr Knight, who meets home staff on Friday, said: “Dorset County Council, partly as a result of not feeling able to refer people to the home, and then after putting up the rent, carry a high degree of responsibility for this closure.”

He insists he’ll push to ensure all residents are relocated locally, in Swanage if possible, and in high quality accommodation.

“Too often, and I say this after the attempts by the county council to close the day centre in Swanage, they just think moving everything to Wareham is okay,” said Mr Knight.

“It just keeps happening. They tried to close the household recycling centre and get everyone to travel to Wareham, but thankfully that battle was won.”

Care South chief executive Susan Willoughby said the home’s limitations led to difficulties in attracting residents.

She added: “We are sorry that this situation exists and has come about by the increase in rent, which is beyond our control.”

County council social care chiefs insist staff will work closely with residents and their families in a bid to help them find alternative placements.