The future of Heron Court old people's home is in doubt this week after it failed to attract any bids from private companies wishing to manage it.

The care home in Brentwood Road, Herongate was one of 13 which Essex County Council's social services committee agreed to sell or lease to the private sector earlier this year, in a controversial cost-cutting exercise.

But the council has received a total of just nine bids for seven of the homes, leaving the fate of the remaining six, including Heron Court, hanging in the balance.

A spokesman said: "Essex County councillors will recommend if any of the bids should be accepted towards the end of June. County councillors will also consider the future of homes for which bids have not been received.

Essex County Council has approached organisations who originally expressed an interest in its homes asking if they wish to reconsider submitting bids."

County councillor Elizabeth Dines, the executive member with the portfolio for health and social services, added: "We will have to reconsider the position of those homes for which no bids have been received.

"We really haven't discussed what we are going to do about it yet. It could possibly be a number of things, but we are hoping that somebody will come forward and make bids."

The bids which the council has received have come from two organisations, St Theresa's Rest Home and Runwood Homes Plc.

The council will now closely examine the experience and financial strength of these two companies, which will include looking at inspection reports and seeking references from other authorities.

In addition, service users, relatives, staff and trade unions will also be invited to give their views.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.