HUNDREDS of elderly people could be hit by plans to privatise or close a council's only care home.

East Renfrewshire wants to sell Bonnyton House in Busby as part of a plan to save £20million over the next three years.

Staff say they were warned the home could be closed down if a buyer is not found.

Bonnyton has 28 beds for residential care. It also offers day-care services for up to 200 people and respite care.

The council say the home is not cost-effective compared with other local providers with comparable or better ratings.

One member of staff said workers felt "angry, shocked and upset" about the news.

She said: "There are elderly people who have lived here for years. This is their home."

Local councillor Alan Lafferty said he was confident that a buyer would be found to run the home.

He said: "We could save £700,000 immediately if we closed down the home but we don't want to do it. Selling it to the private sector is far preferrable to closing it.

"I understand staff are concerned. There are even more horrific options having to be considered by the health and care partnership which we know will upset a lot of residents."

The council is to launch a consultation and a public ­meeting will be held on November 19.

A spokeswoman for East Renfrewshire Council said: "The council is faced with a very difficult financial outlook over the next three years as a results of a reduction in Government grant and increased demand on its services.

"One of the proposals is to transfer Bonnyton House to a third-sector or private-sector care provider.

"The cost of running Bonnyton is not comparable to other local providers and it has been heavily subsidised by the daycare centre which is being reviewed as part of our reshaping care for older people service redesign.

"Most of the local care providers have comparable or better ratings than Bonnyton and we are confident the high quality of care to residents will not be impacted by the service transferring to another provider.

"We would also develop alternative day opportunities for day-centre users through our Older People Day Care Services redesign."

caroline.wilson@eveningtimes.co.uk