A CARE home was placed under quarantine after three residents died following an outbreak of influenza.

Gorsey Clough Nursing Home in Tottington was placed on lockdown following the outbreak, with relatives being told they were not able to visit for a week.

The quarantine, which has since been lifted, was in place from February 17 to 25.

A man, who has a relative at the care home, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "We weren't allowed to visit the home for a week, after it had been quarantined.

A statement from Public Health England and Bury Council confirmed that there was a "small number of deaths" following an outbreak of influenza-type illness at the care home, in Harwood Road, which has capacity to home 53 people.

It also said that the care home had followed guidance and implemented measures to help control the spread of the illness, including closing the home to new admissions and stopping visits from relatives.

It confirmed that the spread of the illness has now been stopped, and that the home has been re-opened to visitors and new residents.

Jeff Scott, from Public Health England's Greater Manchester Centre, said: “We worked closely with staff at Gorsey Clough Nursing Home and the infection control team at Bury Council to put into place measures to control spread of this infection.

“People with certain long-term health conditions are at much greater risk of becoming seriously unwell if they catch flu and sadly, many end up in hospital. The best way people can protect themselves from flu is to take up the offer of a free vaccination from their GP as soon as it becomes available."

Collette Conway, manager of the care home, added: “The welfare, dignity and safety of our residents is our number one priority at all times.”