CARE home group owner Konrad Czajka, who has five centres across the district and employs 400 staff, said he is hoping for a positive impact from the EU referendum result.

He also said he had spoken to staff who had come to work for Czajka Care Group from the EU and reassured them their jobs are safe.

The group's homes include Currergate at Steeton and Beanlands in Cross Hills.

Mr Czajka said: “It is early days.

"They were obviously worried but I told them that, in my view, Armageddon was not on the way. We have had a chat to staff, who did say they were worried, to reassure them.

“We’ve been in business here for more than 30 years and have recruited staff not only from Europe, but from the Philippines as well as around the world, including India and Nigeria.

“Ten per cent of staff are from overseas and some have been with us for 15 years. Their service to the health care business has been a godsend. We have got this situation now and we hope the Government will say there will be an amnesty for people here.

“There is also the question of whether we will still be able to recruit people from Europe, post-Brexit. As yet, we don’t know the answer.”