Campaigners fighting to stop the closure of Sampson Court in Mongeham Road are stepping up their battle to keep the care home open.

Deal MP Charlie Elphicke said it was important everyone puts aside party political differences for the sake of the residents and the community in Deal.

A call has also been made by Deal Mayor Cllr Ben Bano for a meeting with the county council and a second petition has been launched by The Three Horseshoes pub, in the same street as Sampson Court.

Landlady Sarah Rodwell said: "To close the residential care home would be absolutely awful. I have friends and family who work there and Sampson Court is part of our community. It gives a good service and where do the residents go if it shuts?"

Mrs Rodwell said the reaction to the pub petition had been brilliant, with hundreds signing their names.

Mr Elphick said: "It is wonderful that we are all demonstrating our support for Sampson Court. We are troubled about the possible closure and I am doing everything I can as the MP to support Cllr Julie Rook’s battle to save Sampson Court at County Hall.

"I will continue to pressure the county council to consider this case very carefully. I hope that together, we can achieve the right result for our community."

Audrey Hobbs, 80, from Ash, also has a Save Sampson Court petition and her husband Ken, who suffers from Alzheimer’s, attends the care home twice a week.

She said: "It is good to see so many people really pushing to keep the home open."

Her son-in-law Peter Sonderstov has created a Facebook page called Save Sampson Court to support the campaign.

Click here to go to the Facebook campaign page .