A CAMPAIGNING centenarian whose wheelchair protest helped save her council care home from closure has died.

Durham County Council leader Albert Nugent led tributes to 101-year-old Jane Anne "Jenny" Wren, who demonstrated outside County Hall against home cuts last year.

Four months after her 100th birthday, she joined residents and staff from homes across the county in February last year when Labour members were voting on a closure plan that would have handed over all residential care to the private sector.

Councillor Nugent said Mrs Wren's presence swayed some councillors to save the homes, which included Hackworth House, in Shildon, where she spent the last four years of her life.

Coun Nugent said he cherished a thank-you card sent by Mrs Wren after a second vote last October.

He said: "She had a lot of spirit and was prepared to stand and fight for what she believed in.

"She was very brave to turn out and protest, and I am sure that had an impact on the vote.

"She cared very deeply about the home and was not afraid to say so.

"She was a lovely person and I am very sad she has gone. She is a great loss."

Before she moved into the home, Mrs Wren used to visit to sing to residents.

"She was older than a lot of them but that didn't stop her," said her daughter, Mona Cook, yesterday.

"She loved the home and was determined to keep it open. She was in a wheelchair but would have walked all the way there if she could."

Mrs Wren was born in Cumbria and moved with her parents to West Rainton and then Sherburn Hill, near Durham.

She was in service in Leeds before she married her husband, Edward.

They had four children, Mona, Ted, Brian and the late David.

Hackworth House manager Lyn Bregazzi said: "Jenny was a very independent lady who was always full of fun and it was a pleasure for us to care for her."

Mrs Wren's funeral is at Shildon Methodist Chapel on Wednesday, at 12.45pm.