PROTESTORS angry at the decision to close five council-run care homes held a demonstration in Durham this morning.

Demonstrators picketed the annual general meeting of Durham County Council, being held at County Hall this morning.

Last month, the authority, which is facing budget cuts of £220m, agreed the closure of care homes in Belmont, Ferryhill, Peterlee, Chester-le-Street and Stanhope.

Today’s protest is the second in less than a week organised by Durham People’s Assembly and campaigners who have fought to keep Newton House, in Stanhope, open.