CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating the "brilliant" news that an under-threat Yeadon care home has been saved

Local councillors and MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West), supported by residents and their families, have been fighting to keep Suffolk Court open for several years.

They achieved a partial victory in 2013, when a petition and grassroots campaign succeeded in keeping the place open but facing an uncertain future - as plans were afoot to convert it into an intermediary care centre.

Now a report from Leeds City Council has confirmed that the home is to stay open for respite, along with intermediary and recovery, care.

Councillor Sandy Lay (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) said: "This is brilliant news.

"We have been fighting for this for so long and it is such a relief that it is finally over.

"Suffolk Court is a valued part of the local community and to lose it would have been a devastating blow.

"Now we can focus all of our energy onto campaigning for the closed ward at Wharfedale Hospital in Otley to reopen as an intermediate care ward."

Mr Mulholland said: "I am delighted that, after the community campaign I led with local councillors, Suffolk Court will remain open for respite care as well as recovery and intermediate care services.

"In 2013 I presented a 1,300 strong Save Suffolk Court Care Home petition to Parliament, opposing the closure.

"Following this we finally managed to get Leeds City Council to agree in writing that all existing residents would be allowed to remain in the home for as long as they chose.

"Suffolk Court is an important resource for the elderly and vulnerable in Yeadon, and the support from local residents in supporting our campaign has been fantastic.

"I am delighted that all the efforts have paid off and the home will remain open for our community."

Councillor Ryk Downes added: “We were right to campaign to keep Suffolk Court’s doors open and I am so pleased with the result.

"I would like to thank all the residents and families for all their hard work and support they put in."

*The 2013 decision by Leeds City Council's executive board allowed existing elderly residents to remain in Suffolk Court but stopped any more from being admitted.