A CRUCIAL decision on the future care of elderly people in part of the region is to be made this afternoon.

Stockton Borough Council's cabinet is meeting at its Billingham offices to make the final decision on whether to close two of its remaining four elderly people's homes in the area, transfer one into private sector care, and keep one under council ownership.

Last month, the cabinet passed moves to close Belasis, in Billingham, and Tithebarn, in Hardwick, Stockton, privatise the Rosedale home, in Bishopsgarth, Stockton, and keep Park View, Thornaby, under local authority control.

But the council's scrutiny committee blocked the moves, asking the cabinet to rethink its decision.

Action group Rafac (Residents and Families Against Closures) will protest alongside unions, gathering at Billingham Art Gallery from 4pm.