It is planning to leave Holehird, a stately home near Windermere, within the next three years.

The charity is considering a new home in North Lancashire, where some of its patients previously lived.

John Winkler, regional director for Leonard Cheshire, said the home's 26 severely physically disabled residents were told of the plans on Friday.

'Difficult decision'

He said the move had been inevitable because of new legislative changes affecting facilities, such as en-suites bathrooms, would cost too much to install at Holehird.

Mr Winkler said: "They [the residents] were aware of the options, but I think the decision that has been taken within Leonard Cheshire recently has come as a bit of a shock.

"Quite clearly it is a very difficult decision.

"When you have been providing a service for over 40 years on a site, Leonard Cheshire has become part of local life."

Holehird is also a Grade II listed property, surrounded by some of the finest gardens in the county, which are open to the public.

Mr Winkler said the charity would spending �3m on a new purpose modified residential centre serving Cumbria and North Lancashire.