Half the residents of a care home died within two weeks

Eight of the 16 residents at Crown Nursing Home in Harwell, near Didcot, fell victim to pneumonia between January 9 and January 25. They include 107-year-old Elizabeth 'Queenie' Carpenter, who was one of Britain's oldest women.

Government watchdog the Commission for Social Care Inspection has been called in to investigate the deaths.

A spokesman said: "Our inspectors have been into the home and are having continuing discussions with the management.



"We are unable to go into more details at present, but we are monitoring the standards of care at the home while considering what further action we may need to take."

Doctors have recorded the cause of death to be pneumonia in the four men and four women who died.

May Sancio, manager of the home, denied the level of care given by staff fell below acceptable levels.