TWO widows in their 80s have issued a heartfelt plea to a council not to close their care home.

Audrey Holmes and Betty Waller spoke out in the hope of convincing Durham County Council to keep open East Green, in West Auckland.

They said they were well cared for, that staff were doing a great job and that moving would be a terrible shock.

Mrs Waller, 88, vowed to fight any closure decision, telling The Northern Echo: “I will do anything I can.”

The council is considering closing seven care homes across County Durham.

The others facing closure are: Manor House, in Annfield Plain; Glendale House, in Blackhall; Lynwood House, in Lanchester; Shafto House, in Newton Aycliffe; Hackworth House, in Shildon; and Stanfield House, in Stanley.

The council’s executive cabinet will be asked to approve consulting residents, carers and staff on closing the facilities at a meeting to be held in Spennymoor on Wednesday.

Four years ago, plans to close homes divided the ruling Labour group and cost then council leader Ken Manton his job. Following protests on the steps of County Hall involving women in their 90s, the homes were saved.

However, Albert Nugent, who seized the council’s leadership pledging no closures, was ousted in May 2008.

At a private meeting shortly before Christmas, the Labour group approved a confidential report recommending consultation on closure by 54 votes to six.

Current council leader Simon Henig has declined to comment before Wednesday’s meeting.

However, Councillor Morris Nicholls, cabinet member for adult services, said numbers in council-run care homes were falling and that the authority must adapt its provision accordingly.

Mrs Holmes said: “Most of us are now neighbours, some in our 90s, and this is the only home we know.

“It would be a terrible ordeal for us to go to a home where we did not know the staff.

“I have been here for over two years. There is a wonderful care system.

“Most of us have lost relatives and friends, and this is our home now. It would be terrible if we moved away from Bishop Auckland, as we have connections locally.”

Mrs Holmes used to live in nearby Etherley. Her only daughter, Jane, lives near Manchester.

She said: “It would be tragic if we moved somewhere else. We feel very strongly.”

Mrs Waller, who suffers from asthma, has broken ten bones and uses a wheelchair, was born in Butterknowle, Teesdale, and later lived in Woodland and Fishburn, working as a domestic supervisor at Sedgefield Hospital for 27 years. Her only son, John, lives in the Cotswolds.

She said: “The care here could not be better. The girls are all lovely. They are so kind to us. It is fabulous.

“People are living longer because of the care they get here.”

A Durham County Council spokeswoman said: “We welcome the views of Audrey Holmes and Betty Waller and are pleased that they are comfortable in their home and happy with the services provided.

This is an excellent reflection of the hard work and commitment of our staff.

“We would like to reassure both residents that their welfare and comfort, and that of all residents of care homes, are of the utmost importance to us. Our aim in reassessing our residential care provision is to ensure that older people receive the services they need.

“At this week’s cabinet meeting, councillors are being asked to approve proposals to carry out a full and thorough consultation with residents, carers, family members and staff.

“Mrs Holmes and Mrs Waller, along with other residents of council-run care homes, will be encouraged to express their views as part of this process.”

Consultation would last several months.