Sampson Court old people's complex in Deal could be closed under a county council shake-up affecting all but one of its remaining residential care homes.

Social services chiefs say no final decision is likely to be made until December at the earliest and have promised wide-ranging consultation with residents, their families and staff.

Jobs look likely to go and homes will have to be found for all those people living in Sampson Court, Mongeham Road, next to Hornbeam Primary School.

Terry Birkett, who was a county councillor for Deal for 16 years, described the decision as a sad one for the residents and staff.

He said: "It is also unfortunate for the community. Samson Court had a good rapport with the primary school and the children used to sing in the home at Christmas."

Mr Birkett warned that east Kent should expect more cuts from the county council in the financial climate.

The county council has announced plans for homes across Kent, which expects to save £2m a year as a result, insisting the proposals will in time deliver better care for elderly people needing round-the-clock care.

Plans already underway to sell Wayfarers home, St Bart's Road, Sandwich, will go ahead.

* For full story see the East Kent Mercury, July 17 edition