HOUSING bosses are urging elderly people to come forward to save a threatened sheltered housing accommodation.

Villagers and relatives reacted with despair this week over news that housing bosses are struggling to keep Clover Grass Court in Bratton running.

Blame for the crisis was placed on dwindling numbers which has left 11 rooms vacant and remaining residents fearing for the future of the home.

But despite turning away applications for the past year West Wilts Housing Association believes if more elderly people fill the rooms the problem can be solved.

Property development manager Paul Moore said: "We haven't had people banging on our door asking for a room but if there are people who want sheltered accommodation please get in touch.

"Our primary aim is to keep the building open so we are being very careful in our local housing study but if 11 elderly people came forward and said they wanted to fill the rooms it would be problem solved."

Former builder Adrian Walker, whose mother is one of the last remaining residents in the Bratton care home, claims housing bosses have not done enough to fill the building.

He said: "The association says the reason for possible closure is there is no take-up in occupancy but they have put a block on new tenants or actively discouraged interested parties and given them alternatives.

"This perpetuates the housing association's alleged reason for closure as through the natural course of events the occupancy reduces anyway and their reasoning becomes more justified."

Bratton Parish Council is now working with the association to set up an action plan aimed at arriving at a number of options.

George Lording, Bratton parish councillor, said: "I would say the place needs a lift so the rooms on the second floor can be filled, as many people who go in there are disabled. The parish council would like the home to remain. There will always be a need for a home for the elderly in Bratton."

Former parish councillor Kathleen White said: "The land was given to the village by the Reeves family and we talked at length about building a home for the elderly in the village for many years."