Maurice Hoey, 60, joined a protest at Durham County Council yesterday where the decision to close Glendale House in Blackhall was rubber-stamped.

Mr Hoey, who has friends in the home, said councillors were booed as they went into the full council meeting.

He said the 50 campaigners outside had mixed feelings of helplessness and resilience to continue the fight to save the home in the village's Rose Avenue.

But Mr Hoey said he does fear the home is "lost".

He said: "We have voiced our opinions and one thing led to another but I don't think they are listening, not now.

"I think it's disgraceful. I have been fighting since day one.

"I was there until 11am and I have come back disheartened. I don't think there's anything that we can do."

Glendale House was one of seven County Durham homes given the chop by Durham County Council as the local authority tries to save £1.8m per year in running costs and £3.4m in repairs over three years.

Despite a three-month public consultation that saw more than 9,000 people sign a petition to object to the homes' closure, 10 members of the council's cabinet approved shutting the homes.

A total of 32 residents from Glendale House – with the oldest pair being 105 – will have to suffer the upheaval of moving after civic chiefs decided the homes were no longer viable.

Maurice, a retired Highways worker, of Bevin Grove, Blackhall Rocks, added: "Our local Labour councillors have shut these homes, I think the majority of people feel the same.

"All these years I have voted and my dad always said to vote Labour. I feel like I have been let down."