members of staff at The Chestnuts were devastated to discover that not only will they be out of work when the residential home for the elderly closes they will not be receiving their expected redundancy payments.

A spokesman for the staff contacted the Ross Gazette on Tuesday to say that they had all attended a meeting called by the Trustees on Monday. He said:?"We were told on Monday morning at 10am that the Trustees wanted a meeting with all the staff at 7pm.

"We attended that meeting and were told that there might not be money available to pay severance or redundancy pay.

"Any monies owing will have to be claimed from the government."

The spokesman added that staff were very angry and he said that the news had come out of the blue.

Many were in tears worried about paying bills. He said:?"We just seem to go from one nightmare to another."

A spokesman for Herefordshire Council confirmed that negotiations are still ongoing between the council and several care providers willing to take over The Chestnuts.

MP Jesse Norman, who has been criticised for failing to attend the residents protest in the Market Place last week, was quick to respond to the latest news.

He left London as soon as he could and arrived in Ross on Tuesday lunchtime. As the Gazette went to press he confirmed that he would be holding a three hour emergency surgery for staff, residents and their relatives in Ross Library on Thursday, July 28th.

The surgery will run from 1pm until 4pm and Mr Norman told the Gazette:?"I will bring together my team, local councillors and officials to help the staff, residents and their families in whatever way we can, to understand the help that is available to them at this exceptionally difficult time."

A spokesman for Herefordshire Council said:?"This council's priority throughout this unsettling time has been to ensure residents continue to receive the care that they require.

"The members of staff working at the home have been a credit to The Chestnuts and the council is supporting a special surgery to support them with benefits advice through this time of uncertainty in their own lives as they look to their futures.

"Behind the scenes the council is still in discussion with several care providers who have expressed an interest in running the home."

As we went to press on Tuesday the Ross Gazette had been unable to contact the Trustees to confirm the details of the meeting.