A GREAT-GREAT grandmother’s 101st birthday was tinged with sadness yesterday as she prepared to be moved out of her care home – which has been closed because of council cutbacks.

Hilda Finlow, who has lived in Stanfield House, Stanley, County Durham, since breaking her hip seven years ago, said: “I will be really sad to go.

The move is going to be really disruptive and I would rather stay.”

Mrs Finlow spoke as she prepared to move to privatelyrun Hollie Hill Care Home, in South Stanley, today.

Last July, Durham County Council voted to close seven homes, with council leader Simon Henig saying a £35m cost to bring them up to modern standards was unaffordable.

Mrs Finlow said she first learnt of the proposals days before her 100th birthday.

“It came as a real shock to me. The last year has been really upsetting and very stressful,”

she said: Daughter Jean Piper, 74, of nearby Tanfield, said: “My late father fought for his country and my mother worked all her life. Look at how she is being treated.

“All five generations of the family got together to celebrate her birthday. But it was a day tinged with sadness.

“They have been spoilt here, because the staff are absolutely fabulous.”

She said that the only consolation was that her mother was moving to South Stanley with two of her close friends and the new home was “lovely with very welcoming staff”.

Mrs Finlow worked at Pattison Drapers, in Stanley, before marrying Jack, who died three weeks after the couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, in 1992.

She also has a son, David, 66, three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter, who is seven weeks old.

Lesley Jeavons, the county council’s head of adult care, said: “We realise that this may be a difficult time for residents and their families, but we would like to reassure them that we will continue to support them throughout this process and afterwards in any way we can.”

Manor House, East Green, Lynwood House and Hackworth House have closed and Glendale, Shafto and Stanfield are closing this month.

Stanfield House has seven full-time residents, including three respite residents; Shafto House has one resident; Glendale has 20 day care users and Shafto has 18 day care users.