A leading councillor has sparked anger after describing a recently closed health unit as "just a building".

Norfolk County Council recently shut down its reablement centre in Benjamin Court, Cromer, along with a similar site in Costessey.

The site provided rehabilitation for people recovering from hospital treatment who are not quite well enough to return home unaided.

Campaigners have since started fighting for the site to be saved and have staged protests in the town.

But when asked by fellow councillor Jo Rust whether he felt closing the facility was a good idea, Bill Borrett, Norfolk County Council's cabinet member for public health, dismissed the need for it.

He said: "Benjamin Court is just a building - the service continues and is being expanded so more people are able to receive home-based reablement.

"All the staff have been offered opportunities elsewhere so there should not be any reduction in service."

His comments have sparked anger among campaigners fighting to save the centre.

Eastern Daily Press: Martin BoothMartin Booth (Image: Archant)

Martin Booth, who is leading the campaign, said: "If councillor Borrett thinks Benjamin Court is 'just a building' then he should spend 10 minutes on the street in Cromer asking people what they think about it and he will find many people who know it is far, far more than that.

"The Save Benjamin Court campaign has already collected hundreds of signatures on our petition to reopen it as a full convalescence and reablement facility for people needing care after discharge from hospital and our online petition has attracted many hundreds more.

"People queue up to sign at our street stalls and tell us how vital Benjamin Court has been to them and their loved ones - and how the proposal to replace the service with 'virtual wards' just does not work for them."

A further demonstration is due to be held on October 14 at 12pm in the Meadow Road car park.