Campaigners have called for a u-turn over the impending closure of a care home, which is earmarked for the axe despite being rated good by watchdogs.

Families with loved ones in Burman House, in Terrington St John, between King's Lynn and Wisbech, were among those who took part in the protest.

Norse Care, a company owned by Norfolk County Council, announced last month that it intended to shut the 30-bedroom Mill Road home.

Norse bosses said the home, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission just 12 months ago, was no longer fit for purpose to meet the increasingly complex needs of residents.

Burman HouseBurman House (Image: Chris Bishop)

But almost 1,000 people have signed a petition against the closure and campaigners staged a protest on Saturday.

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Mary Edwards, 85, said her husband, who had dementia, received "kind and compassionate care in the home" before his death.

She said she had also spent two months in the home this summer to recuperate after an operation and that the staff went "above and beyond".

County councillor Alexandra KempCounty councillor Alexandra Kemp (Image: Newsquest)

Alexandra Kemp, independent county councillor for Clenchwarton and King's Lynn South, said: "It does not make sense to close a good care home, which is a shining example of the best that Norfolk has to offer.

"The reality is that Norfolk County Council is acting with appalling cruelty and needs to halt the closure of Burman House  now and apologise to all the residents.

"It is clear there has been no proper consultation with residents or with the public."

Bosses at Norse have said the size and configurations of the rooms were not adequate to provide complex care.

They said they were working closely with residents and their families to find new homes for residents.

At a recent meeting of the Conservative-controlled cabinet at Norfolk County Council, Alison Thomas, cabinet member for adult social care, said the decision had not been made by the council, but by Norse Care.

She said: "The Norfolk care market is overseen by the adult social services department, who are confident this Norse decision will not cause instability in the west Norfolk care market."

READ MORE: Norfolk County Council's oversight of Norse questioned

The county council recently agreed to review the contract it has with Norse Care, due to end in 2026, although part of the discussion was held behind closed doors, with the authority citing commercial confidentiality.

Norse Care runs 19 homes across Norfolk, providing care across 844 residential beds.