Local MP Simon Hart has welcomed a High Court ruling which means that the ongoing dispute between Pembrokeshire County Council and four local care homes could be nearing settlement.

The owner of Pen-coed Care Home in Saundersfoot, Langton Hall in Fishguard, Woodfield in Narberth and Woodland Lodge in Tenby told the court that the £390 a week the council pays per resident was not enough.

He had written to the families of the 87 residents warning them that the homes would have to close in the New Year unless the amount was increased.

In a landmark ruling, the High Court in Cardiff ordered Pembrokeshire County Council to review the amount it pays per resident by the end of January. The case sets a legal precedent for other care homes who also say they are not being paid enough by the council.

"I am very relieved that this matter is a step closer to being settled." said Mr Hart.

"The families who have been in touch with me about this are extremely relieved that the uncertainty could be nearly over.

"I know that this ruling only applies to these four homes but it is a test case which has been watched closely by other care providers, some of whom are just about to start charging families levies because of the shortfall in funding."