Park Lane Care Home in Congleton is preparing for the return of family visits by putting up a Perspex screen in its bar area.

The screen is designed to protect residents from coronavirus infection while still allowing them to see relatives for the first time since 21 March.

Home manager Jayne O'Sullivan said: "We will be starting the visits as soon as possible, when the infection rate makes it safe to do so.

"We have stayed free of Covid-19 throughout the pandemic and I want to make sure that when visits begin again there is no risk of infection.

"It is very difficult to tell someone who has dementia not to hug their relative.

"It's been a long wait and I'd like to pay tribute to everyone's understanding and patience.

"We are like a big family here at Park Lane and staff have gone the extra mile to keep residents happy in the absence of visits by their family members."

Jayne also thanked the community for the much-appreciated gifts and messages of support during the pandemic.

When a start date for visits is confirmed families will be invited to contact Park Lane - which has just been rated among the top 20 care homes in the North West by leading review site carehome.co.uk - to book visiting times.

While the home is closed to visitors, residents have been keeping in contact with relatives and friends by Skype and Facetime.

Park Lane also joined other Kingsley Healthcare homes nationally in a trial to test the use of digital technology for communication in care settings.

NHSX, the digital arm of the health service, partnered with Facebook for the pilot using Facebook Portal, with all Kingsley homes given the device as an extra resource for residents to keep in touch with loved ones.