AN ALLEGED assault at a nursing home which left a 71-year-old resident with bruising to her eye is being investigated by police.

Alzheimer's sufferer Clare Kelly, who was diagnosed with the degenerative brain disease four years ago, was in respite care at Whitecliff Nursing Home, East Park Road, Blackburn, when the alleged incident, believed to involve another patient, occurred.

Mrs Kelly, of Ballantrae Road, Shadsworth, was at the home for three days last month to allow husband and carer, Peter, 72, a break.

Mr Kelly, said: "We have been married for 47 years and I have always looked after my wife. I am trying to doing my best for her.

"It was very upsetting to see her in this way."

The couple's son-in-law, Gary Bowers, of Bolton Road, Ewood, said: "We were told that she had a little mark under her eye but when we saw her it looked like she had been hit with a shovel.

"Peter was absolutely devastated when he saw her. He has looked after her so well and now he is scared of putting her into a home again.

"When you hand over loved ones, it is like handing over a baby. But you don't expect things like that to happen."

The home is run by a Leicester-based firm, Prime Life. Managing director Peter Van-Herrewege said: "We cannot comment in detail on individual cases, for confidentiality reasons. However, if we have incidents then appropriate action is always taken, as is happening here.

"If a client has an issue with another client, we would always support both individuals during investigations. If two people fall out, we counsel both parties."

A police spokesman said they were "looking into the circumstances of the alleged assault."