CAMPAIGNERS have vowed to carry on fighting to save a community hospital despite a decision to close it.

Members of Durham Dales Primary Care Trust have voted unanimously to close Homelands Hospital, in Helmington Row, despite strong opposition from residents, who say its services are vital to the community of Crook and the surrounding area.

The decision was made after public meetings in the community, which were well-attended by residents.

Services were reduced at the hospital at the beginning of the year when elderly, mentally-ill patients were relocated to a new unit at Bishop Auckland Hospital.

Homelands is still used by older people recuperating after treatment or waiting for a care home place. It is also valued by residents as a place for respite care.

The trust says the 100-year-old hospital needs about £1m-worth of repairs but this would still not meet modern standards. It believes it would be better to close the hospital and spending the money on services to allow people to stay in their own homes as long as possible.

While campaigners accept the building will probably need to be demolished, they want to see a replacement community hospital built, with about 15 to 20 beds, to provide the same service.

Margaret Berry, of Spennymoor, who cares for her husband at home, said: "I do not want this care in the community. I need a break from it all and he needs to go somewhere like Homelands to get that break. When I need help, I need help from outside of the home."

Mrs Berry was among residents who attended a meeting of the trust at St Catherine's Church, Crook, on Thursday, to make a last-minute plea to members to think again.

They now hope a 2,000-signature petition and a recent meeting with North-West Durham MP and Government Chief Whip Hilary Armstrong might make hospital bosses change their mind.