DURHAM County Council has denied claims it deliberately stopped referrals to a soon-to-be closed care home facility in a bid to hasten its demise.

Michelle Robson, who has organised a sit-in at Newtown House, in Stanhope, in protest at the council’s treatment of her father-in-law Don, alleged the authority was turning people away from the home in advance of a formal decision to close it in April.

Mrs Robson told The Northern Echo: “Newtown House ran at a lower capacity because they deliberately blocked people from being referred there.

“There were families living in the area who were told that it was not available.”

Durham County Council, which has stated occupancy at Newtown House dwindled in the past year, said the allegation was “untrue”.

Mrs Robson, who said she would not be budging until the council agreed to fresh talks, added: “I don’t believe any of the statements they [the council] have made, particularly about Newtown House being the most expensive to run.

“There is no plausible reason why Newtown House needs to close and we do not accept the council’s excuses about budget cuts.

“This has been a ‘done deal’ for some time and we are urging councillors to look again at the unique situation here and do the right thing.”

A candlelit vigil was held on Sunday evening at the care home in support of Mr Robson, a former headteacher at Woodham Burn Primary School, in Newton Aycliffe, who is the last remaining resident at the facility.

The pensioner was due to leave last Thursday, but instead stayed put, with the support of members of his family.

A party at the home is now being planned for his 84th birthday on Wednesday.

Lesley Jeavons, Durham County Council’s head of adult care, said: “Last week Mrs Robson was clear that her plan was to leave Newtown House with Mr Robson following his 84th birthday on Wednesday this week. In response we took the sensible step of agreeing to this extended stay and to a small family party.

“Our key concern throughout this is Mr Robson’s welfare and wellbeing  and as such we remain happy to stand by our support for this small family gathering. “

Newtown House continues to be staffed by a small number of carers employed by the council, although the Echo understands their employment contracts will lapse early next month.

Some had hoped it could continue to run as a community owned business, but this option was rejected.