A CAMPAIGN has been launched in a last-ditch bid to save three care homes threatened with the axe.

The county council is planning to close Cornerways in Kings Worthy and two others in Gosport and Fleet.

Union activists last night joined with families of elderly residents in an attempt to save the homes. They have warned the stress of moving their relatives could kill some of the 51 frail elderly people, the eldest of whom is 101.

A total of 111 care staff also face redundancy.

Speaking before the start of a public meeting in Chapel Hall in Kings Worthy, Jim Cutter, branch secretary for Unison at the county council, said: “The concern of our members is not only about their jobs but also about the impact on residents.

“Research carried out in 2011 showed 50 per cent of elderly residents died within three to eight months of either hearing the news or closures of homes in Hull, Southampton and Wolverhampton. So our concern is that it could potentially have fatal consequences.”

The council says it will cost £4.5m to modernize the homes which are under-occupied and unsuitable to meet the needs of more disabled residents.

Only about 15 people attended the public meeting, including relatives, union activists and members of the Socialist Party protesting against public sector cuts.

Among the 13 elderly residents facing eviction from Cornerways is 94-year-old Edith Crockford, who suffers from dementia.

Her daughter, Dulcie Schwedler, said her mother had “blossomed” at Cornerways.

Campaigners are calling for the council to spend some of its £307m savings to improve the buildings.

A final decision will be made on September 21. A 12-week public consultation ended last Monday.