All of the residents in a failing care home that has been ordered to close have been found somewhere new to live.

Those living at Harker Grange Nursing Home, just north of Carlisle, were forced to shift to new accommodation after the Care Quality Commission ordered it to make improvements or face closure.

It has now closed, say the authorities, and the property is up for sale.

Cumbria County Council’s adult social care officials and NHS Cumbria's clinical commissioning group have helped the 26 residents find new homes.

A spokesman for the council said: “All of the residents now have alternative accommodation.

"The home is now closed as there are no residents left there.

“Our priority was to work in partnership with the other health agencies to find the residents suitable accommodation.”

Helen King, director of nursing for NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “A huge amount of work by both health and social care teams went into finding the best alternative places for the residents in a very challenging timescale.

“It was a difficult time for the individuals concerned, and for their families, and we are very grateful for all the support we have had to get everyone moved and settled so quickly.”

The privately-owned home was registered to care for up to 26 people.

But inspectors found that it had not been providing a safe, effective, responsive, caring or well-led operation.

Issues included failing to provide proper background checks on staff - a number of whom inspectors found to have criminal records and inadequate references.

They also said it was not possible to establish how much residents were eating and drinking due to poor record keeping.

The home is now up for auction with Auction House.

It has a guide price of £350,000 to £450,000.

It will feature in an auction at Carlisle Racecourse on October 27 at 12pm.

Some viewings took place on Saturday.