AN 11th hour bid is to be launched to save a much-loved New Forest care home.

Linden House, in Lymington, is earmarked for closure and Hampshire County Council is due to make a final decision on its fate tomorrow.

However, those involved in the fight to save the 26-bed house are now demanding the decision be delayed as they say plans for rehoming the residents are not clear.

The council wants to shut the home because the rooms at the 33-year-old building are too small. Councillor Alan Dowden, Liberal Democrat spokesman for adult social care who will speak at the meeting deciding the home's future, said: "It would be much better to defer the decision until we have a fuller understanding of the reasons for the closure because the alternatives for current residents are far from clear.

"The council should wait until the extra care is in place before disrupting elderly patients."

If the closure goes ahead the residents, many of whom are in their 90s and one - Howard Barker - is 101, will be split up and transferred to homes across the Forest.

The residents held a protest against the plans in June, blockading nearby New Street. They also mounted a petition and collected more than 600 signatures.

Lymington and Pennington Town Council is supporting their campaign. Town councillor Jan Harber said: "One of our concerns, apart from the destruction of a wonderful facility, is that closing Linden House wouldn't make economic sense. It's a purpose-built establishment and the facilities are excellent."

Newman Bassett House, in Basingstoke, is also recommended for closure.

A statement from the county council says: "A review of residential homes highlighted Linden House and Newman Bassett as two homes where it has become increasingly difficult to accommodate potential residents whose needs are either high physical dependency or dementia care or both.

"This is largely due to the layout and facilities. The buildings were designed in the 1970s for much fitter residents than those who need such accommodation today.

"The cost of bringing both buildings up to the required standards would be in the region of £3.35m."