CAMPAIGNERS who fought to save the homes of their loved ones have released a statement following the news that Kirklees’ dementia care homes will be staying open.

On Thursday, the council announced that its two dementia care homes – Claremont House at Heckmondwike and Castle Grange at Newsome – previously earmarked for closure have been saved from the axe.

The campaigners, many of whom have relatives living in the care homes,  spoke highly of the level of care they had witnessed across the two homes and feared the consequences should their loved ones have to move.

A spokesperson from the Save Our Kirklees Dementia Care Homes Campaign said: “The families of both these homes alongside friends and the extended ‘Stop the Closures’ group have campaigned since September to keep these homes open.

"We have done this because these are our loved one’s homes, homes in which they are well cared for, happy and above all safe. Homes which should be celebrated and championed, not dismissed, and sold off.

“We are relieved that Kirklees has listened to us and after reviewing all the evidence received as part of the consultation has taken the correct decision.”