A BLACKBURN charity is closing down one of its last two children's homes to meet the changing face of residential care.

The Blackburn Child Care Society, set up in 1896, will close Cortina House, in Knowsley Road, Wilpshire, at the start of the new year.

The home has provision to look after five young people, although currently accommodates just two.

Director John Tempest said the home would not close until alternative care had been found. The six residential social workers employed at the home will be employed elsewhere within the charity, which also owns a remand facility in Preston New Road.

Blackburn Child Care Society is a children's charity which works closely with Blackburn with Darwen Council's Social Services and offers accommodation for children and young people who cannot live at home.

It is based in Whalley Road at the former Blackburn Orphanage.

Mr Tempest said the decision to close Cortina House was made with "deep regret" but reflected the changing needs of youngsters.

He said: "There is more emphasis on finding families and public care for children and young people and we are finding more appropriate accommodation for them.

"In the same way that our headquarters are based in a former orphanage, the charity is moving and developing the way it works."

The home is set to close in January and Mr Tempest is inviting former workers and people who received care at the home to come back.

An open day is being held on Friday, November 22, between 10am and 4pm.

He said: "We want them to come back and see the place before it closes. It will hold a lot of memories for them."

Bryan Peake, head of Children's Services at Blackburn with Darwen Council Social Services department, said: "We fully understand and support this step.

"The aim of modern child care is to improve the quality of family-based care and support. We are committed to improving standards and are working closely with partners such as Blackburn Child Care Society to increase capacity in areas like family support and foster care."