A care home for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in Devon is to close.

The MS Society has announced the 30-year-old Orcombeleigh Hotel at Exmouth will shut at the end of November.

The society said it faced rising costs and expensive repairs to bring the building up to new government health and safety standards.

The society is to provide vouchers for people wishing to try alternative centres.

The MS Society said the home was too small

The news follows a strong campaign by supporters who had hoped to keep the home open.

Plans for its closure were first recommended in May, after a review of the MS society's holiday homes.

The review found that Orcombeleigh was under-occupied.

Other care providers were invited to submit tenders for buying the homes.

But Mike O'Donovan, the society's chief executive, said while discussions have been held with more than 40 organisations, it had not found anyone to take on the facility.

Mr O'Donovan said the home is seen as too small and out-dated and would require a great deal of investment.

People with MS had been coming the hotel from around the country to enjoy what the MS Society described as "dedicated care in warm and friendly surroundings".

Those who stayed at the hotel said it provided them with a lifeline.