Norfolk County Council agreed to an 'in-principle' deal to sell its care company Norse Care and the care homes to private company Stow Healthcare Group in January, when the Conservatives were in control of County Hall.

But the deal had yet to be signed and sealed and the authority, now led by Reform, has withdrawn from the proposed sale.

Staff and residents at the homes, which are dotted across the whole of the county, were informed of the decision this morning.

Norfolk County Council's County Hall headquarters (Image: Mike Page)

Reform leaders said they had decided the sale was not in the best interests of the people who live in the homes - or for the Norfolk taxpayers.

But it now leaves a huge question mark over what the future now holds for the homes and for Norse Care, which runs them.

When the in-principle........

© Eastern Daily Press