A WIRRAL dad who campaigned against the closure of five council-run care homes is "delighted" the new town hall administration has decided to secure the future of one of the doomed centres.

The homes were all earmarked for the axe under a council spending squeeze last March.

The move created a public outcry with thousands signing a protest petition.

But new council boss Steve Foulkes confirmed one of the respite homes - Fernleigh in Leasowe - is to be kept open on a permanent basis.

Brian Donaldson, whose 28-year-old son has profound mental and physical disabilities, hopes the reprieve will be mirrored across Wirral.

Mr Donaldson said: “I think it is brilliant news that Fernleigh has been saved.

"This is one of the first things the new Labour administration is doing since coming to power and I think it shows great integrity and honour that they are putting some of the wrongs right.

“Hopefully, it is a sign of things to come and I’m hoping they will have a look at other respite homes and commit to keeping care in-house.

"I would also like a commitment that they would be keeping the home open for the long-term.”

Councillor Foulkes said: "There are some decisions concerning the respite homes which would be extremely difficult to change right now.

"That's not to say it will be impossible, but I'm not ruling anything in or ruling anything out.

"But there is one thing we can change. Fernleigh will stay open."

Mr Donaldson launched an online petition earlier this year in response to the announcement the five care homes were to close.

He was concerned about the impact that changes to the system would have on service-users and their families.

His petition of almost 2,000 signatures was presented to full council in March but failed to change the mind of the then Tory/Lib Dem administration.

Fernleigh was granted a temporary stay of execution when it emerged there was a "small shortfall" in providing alternative support in the private sector.