Banners, balloons and placards were waved by marchers through the streets of Deal when campaigners made their final public protest, appealing to the county council to halt its decision to close Sampson Court care home.

Dave Hubble, from the Friends of Sampson Court, said: "I was very impressed and thrilled by the turnout and it was much better than I ever thought it would be. I hope our message has got across to the county council."

Three members of the East Kent Piping Society led the march today, Saturday, from Deal Castle and along the seafront to Deal Town Hall, where the Save Sampson Court petition containing nearly 5,000 signatures was presented to Deal Mayor Cllr Ben Bano.

He said: "Deal cannot afford to lose Sampson Court care home, which gives fantastic value. We are going to make sure KCC hear our protests loud and clear."

The consultation ends on November 1 and a decision about the future of the care home in Mongeham Road, Deal, is expected to be announced in January.

* For full details of Saturday's march read the East Kent Mercury on Thursday.