Five different sites on the island have been drawn up for a new community care home on the Isle of Cumbrae.

This was revealed during the recent Cumbrae Community Council meeting at a presentation given by the Millport Elderly Forum to explain how the quest for an island community care home is going.

The Island Hospital would be incorporated within the new centre wherever its new location is to be.

Five sites have been identified as suitable for this centre including The Garrison grounds, the Lady Margaret Hospital and three fields.

Proposals for a new community owned care home on Cumbrae came about to prevent the heartbreak of couples and families having to separate.

North Ayrshire Council, The Big Lottery and Hunterston have put £15,000 behind the feasibility project, and following a public meeting conduced by the Millport Elderly Forum and consultation, a feasibility study has been completed.

Bringing a community controlled care home facility to Cumbrae had been the long term aim of the forum, which was launched in 2006 following the closure of Craig-en-Ros Care Home.

The community council minutes stated: "The Integrated Services Joint Board acknowledge that these centres are cost effective in the long run and savings can be made on existing systems. This Board meets in September to give their answer regarding provision of services on the Isle of Cumbrae. If the response is negative regarding a one centre model the Elderly Forum will still go ahead with a major fundraising exercise to provide a care home with respite and holiday provision. The wish is to encourage people to move to the Island and there will be employment opportunities within this facility."

PC Emans stated at the community council meeting that currently there were no support services on the island for residents with alcohol or drug issues. A one centre facility with support services would be very welcome.

Mention was also made of the wish for a bus service on the island which was not purely for the ferry service. It was stated that, in the view of the Elderly Forum, there are areas on the island where people would benefit greatly from transport particularly older residents.