Cumbria County Council has reassured people that a Whitehaven care home will only close temporarily following an infestation of flies.

Residents are being forced to move out of Pow Beck care home into other homes as fumigation work is set to be carried out.

Upset relatives say they were told at a meeting on Wednesday that Powbeck will not re-open and residents will not be able to return there at all in the future.

However, Cumbria County Council, which runs the residential home, says: "At this point this is a temporary closure and any decisions regarding the future of Pow Beck House would need to be discussed with residents, families and staff."

Residents and staff have been offered the choice to go to Brackenthwaite Home in Whitehaven, Dentholme in Cleator Moor, Castle Mount in Egremont and Richmond Park in Workington, while the fly infestation is tackled.

The council spokesperson said: "Our main priority is that residents and staff are settled into their new homes as quickly as possible.

"Thirteen residents moved yesterday to Brackenthwaite, Dentholme and Richmond Park and the remaining five people will move today. All of them are being supported by staff that know them well and understand their individual needs."

The council said it is working closely with all relevant agencies to remedy the issue. Fumigation is set to start next week.

Pow Beck is one of the care homes to close when a new care home is built and opened in Whitehaven next year.

The county council spokesperson added: "The proposal would be that residents could stay where they move to now until the new care home is ready, if they wish. But all is to be discussed."

Work is taking place on the new £6m 60-bed residential care home at Hensingham.

The new facility on Cleator Moor Road, set to open next spring, will provide care for older adults, especially those who need to be supported with dementia and complex care needs.

The new home will replace four older Cumbria Care homes in the area; Dentholme, Castle Mount, Pow Beck and Brackenthwaite.