Families are worried about the welfare of their elderly relatives after a care home announced it may have to close its doors.

Celia Johnson Court, in Gregson Close, Borehamwood, has confirmed residents might have to move out after problems with the drains have made the care home unsafe.

Work to correct the drain subsidence will begin next year and could take up to six months, and the care home is already in touch with Hertfordshire County Council about finding other accomodation for residents.

Families are concerned about the effects being forced to live somewhere else will have on their frail and ill relatives.

Jeanette McMullen, whose father Michael Hall, 83, has been at the care home for eight weeks, said the news came as a “real blow”.

Ms McMullen, who attended a meeting about the proposed closure earlier this month, said: “My father has been in a number of care homes before he moved to Celia Johnson Court, none of which suited him.

“He has been so much happier since he moved here, I haven’t received one complaint from him.

“There aren’t many good care homes in the area and if Celia Johnson closes he could be sent back to a care home like the one he was in before, or be moved away from family and friends, and that saddens me.”

She added: “Moving to a different residential home from one in which they are comfortable and happy will be very difficult for them. Some of them will not survive the move.”

Michael Stovey, whose father Ken Stovey, 87, also lives at the home, expressed concerns the closure might not be temporary.

He said: “I’m not happy about this at all. The work is unavoidable as the drains are in a bad state, but I’m worried about the future.

“There seems to be doubt over whether it might reopen. The care home is very close to Hertswood Academy and there is going to be a lot of redevelopment in that area and I fear Celia Johnson Court might be affected by that.”

He said he was concerned about what might happen to the “brilliant” staff who may be forced to find other work if the care home closes, either temporarily or permanently.

Mr Stovey added: “Our thoughts are with the staff and I wish them the very best of luck in their uncertain future.

A spokeswoman from Aldwyck Housing Group, which owns the care home, said nothing would be decided until April next year while the company reviewed all options.

She said: “Aldwyck Housing Group confirms due to major work required to rectify subsidence of the drains at Celia Johnson Court, Borehamwood, there is a possibility that residents will need to move out of the scheme, to allow that work to be completed.

“We understand that this will be a difficult and unsettling time for many of our residents and their families. Our dedicated staff at Celia Johnson Court are committed to providing them with all the information and support they need.”