Pensioners living in two council-run old people’s homes in Walsall could be forced to move several miles away, including across the border into Sandwell.

The massive upheaval could happen when the homes close after the Walsall Council admitted there were no plans for  replacement facilities in the two affected communities.

Residents of Bentley Resource Centre and Castleview Residential Home in Moxley have been told they are likely to be found places in Willenhall, Palfrey or even Wednesbury as part of the council’s plans to replace nine old people’s homes with warden controlled flats.

The news was criticised by campaigners today who say many people won’t want to leave the areas they have been born and bred in.

Some of the existing nine plots will be re-developed but bosses say certain sites such as those in Wilkes Avenue, Bentley and Castleview Road, Moxley, are unsuitable because of the size of the site, ground conditions and planning considerations.

Mineshafts plague the area around Bentley Resource Centre while the Castleview site is very small.

As part of the proposals, responsibility for managing all the accommodation would be transferred from the council to Housing 21, a not-for-profit company.

The news that people in Bentley and Moxley could be forced to move several miles away has been highlighted by ward Councillor Bill Madeley who is calling for the proposals to be reviewed.

He said: “The Darlaston area has the highest number of old people in the  borough and I’m concerned there are no plans to build any of the new facilities here.”

Walsall Council has said that elderly people will ultimately only benefit  from the council’s plans to modernise the service. Karen Reilly, interim assistant director for social care, said: “Traditional  residential care will still be available through our contracts with independent sector homes.”