FRAIL and vulnerable pensioners and their families face a worrying wait after the meltdown of crisis hit care home giant Southern Cross.

The company, which cares for 31,000 elderly residents across Britain announced today it would begin pulling out of its 750 homes and transferring them to landlords and other care operators.

River View Care Home in Rodway Road, Tilehurst, which cares for 137 residents and The Hollies in Burghfield Common which caters for 29 people, are among its nine Berkshire-based homes.

The Darlington-based company which employs 44,000 staff has an £311m in debts after failing to keep up with spiralling rent bills.

Chief executive Jamie Buchan said: "Although still subject to the possibility of further change, it is currently envisaged that the existing group will cease to be an operator of homes at the end of the restructuring period.

"It is also anticipated that landlords, lenders and, where appropriate, other residual stakeholders will agree the necessary measures to facilitate the orderly closure of the group's affairs and that little or no value will be attributable to shareholders."

Have you or an elderly relative been affected by the crisis? Contact 0118 955 3305 or email mkusiobodum@berksmedia.co.uk