Campaigners against the threatened closure of two homes for the elderly branded the plans 'legal murder'.

They said the shock of being moved when Cutteslowe Court in Oxford was closed led to the deaths of seven elderly people.

Now they fear more deaths will result if the county council presses ahead with plans to close the Iffley House and Oseney Court homes in the city.

Protesters gathered outside Oxford's Westgate Shopping Centre around a table with bags of rubbish, each labelled with the name and age of elderly people living in the homes which face closure.

They waved placards bearing messages including 'Closure is legal murder' and 'Human Refuse'. The rubbish bags and placards spelled out protesters' feelings about the way the elderly people in Iffley House and Oseney Court were being treated.

Alec Russell, 71, of Cedar Road, Botley, Oxford, picked up two of the rubbish bags and indicated the labels. "These people are 92 and 86. It's criminal. They've (the county council) got no compassion," he said.

"My mother-in-law is 98, 99 in July and she is living in Iffley House. If they move her she'll die, we've been told that. Was medical advice taken on the effects of moving these old people?

"When Cutteslowe Court closed within a very short period seven people had died."

He said people were so concerned they intended to keep a voting record of councillors who voted in favour of the closures. Those who did so would not receive support in the future.

Mr Russell added: "We should put human beings before cycle tracks and leisure centres. These are people with rows of medals who fought for their country."

David Messer, 55, of Morrell Avenue, Oxford, said: "My mother goes into Iffley House for respite care and it's been a lifeline. She's 80 years old.

"My step father is 81 and he's her carer but if he is taken ill she goes into Iffley House, which is half a mile from her home.

"The idea of it closing is a real worry."

Sylvia Barker, 54, of Percy Street, east Oxford, whose 93-year-old mother is in Iffley House, said relatives of those in the homes were angry that there had been no consultation over the proposed closures.

She added: "I'm protesting against all the cuts in provision for the elderly. We don't want to play one home off against another.

"We should all be fighting for the elderly who are the most vulnerable members of society. They can't be outside to protest. It's very difficult for elderly people to come out because it's so cold."

Mrs Barker added that the cuts would reduce care for the elderly at a time when their numbers were rising.

Story date: Monday 01 March

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