LAST month the charity Leonard Cheshire announced that it was to shut its Holehird home, in Windermere, in 2006 or 2007, and another in Garstang, Lancashire, and open a new building in the Lancaster or Morecambe Bay area.

The move will end the charity’s association with the Windermere house that began more than four decades ago, when founder Leonard Cheshire famously stood in the grounds and, captivated by the view, said “I’ll take it” without even waiting to see the house.

Michaela Robinson-Tate spoke to residents about their fears for the future, and to one of the charity’s bosses about the decision.

See News Focus for the full report.