ELDERLY residents whose families challenged a council decision to close their home through a judicial review have all moved out.

The last resident at Stoneleigh Nursing Home, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, moved out this week, leaving the way open for the bulldozers to move in.

Relatives launched a legal battle over the proposed closure of the home by Durham County Council last year, but withdrew the challenge the day before the hearing.

The 41-place home will be turned into an extra care unit, one of seven being built by the council.

Campaigners have maintained that the council handled the closure badly, and said the outcome of their battle had left a bitter taste.

A spokesman said: "The Action Group deplores the way in which the whole issue has been handled by Durham County Council, and would like to thank the people of Teesdale who took part in the campaign, and the town and district councillors who supported these vulnerable elderly people, who have been evicted from their home."

The group also said the human rights of residents were ignored and that the social services department did not communicate or consult with residents and relatives in an appropriate and timely matter.

But the council said it had looked at the human rights of the residents and had even visited the issued a second time before upholding the ruling that the home would close.