A BIRTHDAY party for an 84-year-old man doesn’t usually need security guards, but visitors to Newtown House today were met with six of them.

Half a dozen burly, bouncer-types employed by the council to control quiet celebrations for great-grandfather Don Robson.

Entry was given on a one in, one out basis, capped at 15, with absolutely no exceptions. It reminded me of a high street newsagents wary of unruly teenagers.

Mr Robson’s daughter and seven-year-old great-granddaughter were held at the front door until somebody else left the building.

However, once you got passed the doormen, the scene was not of an out-of-control protest or even a rowdy party, it was of family and a few friends surrounding an elderly man in an armchair.

Clearly a very well respected head-of-the-family, Mr Robson was guarded closely by protective granddaughters who gazed at him lovingly, holding his hand and pondering on his every word.

If it wasn’t for the presence of large cameras and people wearing microphones you could be fooled into thinking this was an average birthday party, complete with balloons, buffet and a birthday cake.

Mr Robson however, has been the instigator of a week-long sit in, in protest of Durham County Council’s (DCC) decision to close the countryside care home he has lived in for almost two years.

He made it clear that his refusal to leave Newtown House was his idea and said he was amazed by all of the media interest.

“I made the decision to stay myself, it was nobody else’s idea, it was mine," he said.

"If I have upset anybody then all I can do is say I am sorry, because that was not my intention.

“I do not respect the council, they have done too many things wrong in my opinion. Sad is a difficult word, but I would say I am sad to be leaving.”

The former primary school headteacher has had to move in with his son and family, in a ground floor bedroom they have set up for him.

Daughter-in-law, Michelle Robson, said: “I am absolutely disgusted with Durham County Council, with everything that’s happened. We wanted a peaceful birthday celebration for Don and they have sent all of this security. It is overkill to a massive degree.”

Despite being forced to leave his home on his birthday, Mr Robson remained in high spirits, singing loud and proud and managing a few dances with his granddaughters.

He kept a brave face as he put on his coat and hat and prepared to leave his home for the last time.

As those around him collapsed into floods of tears, Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’ played to see Mr Robson out.

Aided by family and a walking stick, he led the group out of the home and together they said an emotional farewell to Newtown House.

As Mr Robson said his last goodbyes to the home he did not want to leave, Durham County Council's head of adult care, Lesley Jeavons, reiterated the authority's best wishes.

She said: “Mr Robson’s welfare and wellbeing have been our major concerns throughout this situation and we wish him well.

“We will continue to offer our full support to both Mr Robson and his family in relation to his ongoing care needs if they would like that.”