Nearly half of those who took part in a survey to help determine the future of Manorlands hospice said it should stay at its current home.

The managers of the Oxenhope-based facility home have revealed the results of their public consultation questionnaire, designed to find a way forward for Manorlands for the next 30 years.

About 300 copies of the questionnaire were distributed to residents and healthcare professionals last summer. Approximately 160 copies were completed and returned.

Last June, Sue Ryder Care - the charity which runs Manorlands - warned that the hospice was struggling to cope with soaring costs and ageing buildings. Manorlands has been based in Oxenhope for 34 years and provides specialist medical and nursing care for people with cancer and other long-term illnesses. It now looks after more than 600 people a year.

Last year, Steve Davison, the care centre manager, said there were no plans to close Manorlands but added he and his colleagues needed to consider how they would continue providing quality care in the premises they currently occupied.

The questionnaire asked respondents to comment on how "appropriate" the existing location of the hospice was.

Almost half, 48 per cent, said it was appropriate, with 32 per cent believing it was inappropriate and 20 per cent did not know or did not answer. When people were asked to consider alternative locations, Airedale Hospital was selected by 21.5 per cent, with 11 per cent choosing central Keighley and 7 per cent selecting Skipton.

Also 31.4 per cent of respondents argued that a move would have a negative impact on patients, 28.1 per cent said a move would be positive and 11.1 per cent said it would have no impact at all.

Mr Davison said: "We will look at the options available based on what the community has expressed and the future needs of the communities we serve. We are currently in discussion with our many and varied stakeholders in order to determine what are the best ways to continue to serve the people of Airedale, Bradford and Craven.