COUNCIL chiefs have pushed through a plan to close three Hampshire care homes, despite a last-ditch protest.

Trade union members gathered outside the county council offices in Winchester and encouraged passers-by to sign a petition against the decision.

But Cllr Felicity Hindson, council adult social care boss, rubber-stamped the plan to close Cornerways in Church Lane, Kings Worthy as well as two other homes in Gosport in Fleet.

Council officers said the 30/40-year-old care homes were unsuited to their residents' needs and would be too expensive to upgrade.

It means around 30 residents will move to new accommodation while 105 staff will be redeployed or have accepted redundancy.