Smiles mixed with sadness yesterday as a great-great-grandmother celebrated her 104th birthday – after councillors ordered her care home must close.

CASH-STRAPPED Durham County Council’s decision to close Glendale House, in Blackhall, has met with fury from residents, families and home staff.

And, as she celebrated her 104th birthday at the home yesterday, Jenny Taylor, a weekly day visitor for three years, said: “I’m very sorry about it. It’s such a nice place.”

Surrounded by flowers and cards and with her birthday cake, Mrs Taylor, who lives at nearby Primrose Court, said: “I would like it to stay open.

“The girls here are all so friendly. I love spending my days here. It’s such a nice building – so comfortable and homely.”

Mrs Taylor, originally from Consett, has become the home’s third resident aged 104 or over, joining Emma Brown, 105, and Mina Lawson, 104.

Glendale House, home to 14 elderly people, costs taxpayers £827.56 per resident per week to run and needs £450,000 of repairs within three years.

It is one of seven homes destined for closure, in cuts which spell months of uncertainty for more than 100 elderly people and 230 staff.

Terry Scarr, regional organiser of the GMB trade union, said a three-month council consultation had been skewed, the closures were scandalous and residents and families would be deeply upset.

However, a Durham County Council spokeswoman refuted claims that staff had been issued with redundancy notices.

She said a staff consultation would begin next Friday, with information made available about a council alternative employment scheme, early retirement and voluntary redundancy.

“No decisions on the future employment of individual staff members can be made until this process is complete,”

she said.

“With regard to the timescale and schedule of any moves for residents, the needs and wellbeing of the individual and their family will be at the heart of any decision.”

The other homes closing are: Manor House, Annfield Plain; Lynwood House, Lanchester; Shafto House, Newton Aycliffe; Hackworth House, Shildon; Stanfield House, Stanley; and East Green, West Auckland. Some are half empty and keeping them open would have cost up to £35m, it was said.