FURIOUS pensioners stopped the traffic in protest at plans to close the place they call home.

Residents of Linden House, Lymington, blockaded nearby New Street as part of a demonstration against proposals to axe the 34-room complex.

The home's oldest resident, retired teacher Howard Barker, 101, was among those who took part.

If the closure goes ahead the residents, many of who are in their 90s, will be split up and transferred to other homes across the New Forest.

The demonstration took place outside Eve's, an antiques shop where a petition launched to save Linden House has been signed by more than 1,500 people.

The county council claims Linden House fails to meet modern standards but members of Lymington and Pennington Town Council are urging the authority to think again.