A PRIMARY Care Trust (PCT) is to close a stroke unit - only five months after it was named the best performing in the UK.

North Yorkshire and York PCT will move services from the Rutson Hospital, Northallerton, to the town's Friarage Hospital.

In May, the Rutson was named the best performing stroke rehabilitation unit in the country in figures released by the Royal College of Physicians and the Healthcare Commission.

It scored highly in all 12 categories, beating some major London hospitals.

The Northern Echo understands the Rutson is closing as it has lost its fire certificate and the cost of bringing it up to standard is seen as prohibitive.

News of the closure comes five weeks after the PCT, once in debt by £43m, declared its financial troubles were over. It is not yet clear when it will close or what will happen to the building.

Northallerton Mayor John Prest said if the hospital had reached its "sell-by date" and services could be provided just as well but more cheaply at the Friarage, then it should close.

But he added that, as the hospital was gifted to the townspeople, the building must continue to be used in some way by the community.

Northallerton councillor David Blades said: "It is very sad, but things move on.

"You have got to look at it in a business manner. It is inevitable - it has got to go. It will be a shock to a lot of people, but we have got to move on and accept these things. You cannot live in the past. It's difficult with modern regulations to keep old places up to speed without major refurbishment and restoration.

"Sometimes it is better to bring them under a modern one-unit area such as the Friarage.

"My main concern is the Friarage itself because of the threat in years to come of losing the accident and emergency in Northallerton. I welcome anything that happens to maintain the Friarage."

Northallerton resident Stella Kilvington, a member of Diabetes UK, the Police Pensioners' Association of North Yorkshire, and the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, said: "It is a preserved building and it has been there hundreds of years. I have been to see friends in there and I am just a bit concerned."

Janet Probert, the PCT's director of operations, said: "The move means people can be treated in more up-to-date surroundings, which will be better for them, easier for staff, and better for families or carers visiting. It's also a much more cost effective use of the PCT's resources."

Richard Clayton, Friarage manager, said: "This is a positive step for patients' clinical care, as it ensures closer working between staff in medicine and primary care and means patients will be treated in a more up-to-date environment."

The Rutson opened in 1877 as Vine House. It was re-named in 1905 after its benefactor, Henry Rutson.

Over the years, residents have raised thousands of pounds for equipment and to help fund hospital services, including a new palliative care unit, which was opened by Richmond MP William Hague in December 2005.

The PCT will lease an area of the Friarage from South Tees NHS Trust to provide the services. Administration offices will be moved to other PCT premises in the area.