A care home which looks after almost 60 residents has changed hands.

The Lavenders Care Home in West Malling had been run by the Webb family for more than 40 years - with Marcus Webb taking over from his parents in 1995. They had established it in 1983.

But he has now sold the business to allow him and wife Emma, who was office manager, to retire.

The site has now been sold to the Eleanor Heathcare Group which operates a number of other care homes in the county. It will take over the running of the site on July 30.

John Harrison, director at Christie & Co, which handled the sale, said: “The Webb family has worked hard over their 40 years of ownership in both extending the home and creating the strong reputation which Lavenders Care Home enjoys.

“I am sure Eleanor Healthcare’s considerable experience of operating other homes in Kent will now be able to enjoy the reputation which the Webb family has built up.“

The home, rated ‘good’ following its last CQC inspection, was sold for an undisclosed price.