Residents at a Whitehaven care home are being forced to temporarily move out while the facility is treated for an infestation of flies.

Powbeck House residential home is set to close for around five weeks while fumigation is carried out.

Residents and staff will be moving out over the coming days. They have been offered the choice to stay at Brackenthwaite Home in Whitehaven, Dentholme in Cleator Moor, Castle Mount in Egremont and Richmond Park in Workington, while the problem is tackled.

A meeting was held yesterday evening by Cumbria County Council, which runs the home, with the resident's families.

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

A council spokesperson said: "The welfare and comfort of residents and staff is the number one concern and whilst this work is underway it is not suitable for them to live and work in these conditions. A decision has therefore been taken to relocate the residents and staff.

"We have now met with residents, families and staff to discuss the situation and are making arrangements to move the 18 residents into other local Cumbria care homes.

"We appreciate that any move can be unsettling and we’re working hard with those affected to minimise disruption."

The 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 is all 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.