Elderly residents who challenged a council decision to close their home through a judicial review have said a final goodbye to their surroundings.

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

Relatives of the residents launched a legal battle over the proposed closure of the home by Durham County Council last year but withdrew the day before the hearing was due to take place.

The 41- place home will now make way for a new 'extra care unit' - one of seven being built by the council.

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

A spokesperson 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.''

They also say that the human rights of residents were ignored and that Social Services 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.

The residents' spokesperson added: "We have lost 45 elderly care places in Teesdale and they have not been replaced.

"We ask our local councillors to continue to campaign on behalf of their elderly constituents to ensure that suitable care is made available.''