CAMPAIGNERS say they feel bitter that facilities provided by a 100-year-old hospital have not been saved.

Health bosses made the decision to close Homelands Community Hospital, in Helmington Row, Crook, saying that the 101-year-old building was no longer suitable for modern care.

They said the age and condition of the hospital building meant substantial investment would be required to continue and bring it up to standard.

After three months of public consultation, the hospital will close on Friday. Patients will either be transferred to another hospital or will receive appropriate care in the community.

Jim Smith, who has been involved with the hospital for more than 40 years, said campaigners were upset by the closure.

He said: "We feel very bitter. The area of Crook and Willington and the villages surrounding that area have lost a vital hospital link dealing with the elderly.

"We would have expected that the trust replace it with a small unit in that area to help the people who need this type of supervised care, but this hasn't even been considered.

"I would like to pay tribute to the staff both past and present. They have always provided an excellent service time and time again.''

Andrew Kenworthy, chief executive of Durham Dales Primary Care Trust, which held the consultation meetings throughout the hospital's area, defended the decision to close it.

He said: "Improved national standards for care of older people made it important to consider how services provided from Homelands could be reprovided in a more modern setting and to the highest possible modern standards.

"We are working with local people to shape health services which will deliver the maximum benefit to their communities.''

County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospital NHS Trust's chief executive, John Saxby, said: "We are grateful for the enormous contribution made by the staff of Homelands over the years.

"Homelands Hospital has served the people of Crook and surrounding towns and villages for more than a century."