AN old people's home is to close despite an MP's protests.

Labour MP Shahid Malik suffered defeat over his fight to save Ashworth Court in his Dewsbury constituency.

He urged that its residents should not suffer upheaval at their age.

But his plea was rejected at a meeting of Kirklees Council's Cabinet.

A new £3.7m care home for old people with mental illness will rise on the site.

It will be the fifth to be built by the council as part of a multi-million pound programme.

Clr Dennis Hullock, Cabinet member responsible for social services, said: "The new homes will have modern facilities fit for the 21st century.

"They will replace homes with communal toilet facilities, cramped bedrooms and general standards that do not meet those which we will be required to provide and which our older people have every right to expect."

Mr Malik said earlier: "At a time in your life when you need security and stability, nobody should be forced from their home."

The other four new homes are at Castle Grange at Newsome, Moorlands Grange at Netherton, Ings Grove House at Mirfield and Claremont House at Heckmondwike.

Dates for the closure of other old people's homes have also been revealed.

Greenacres at Meltham will shut by June, followed by Scissett Mount at Scissett in July.

The Homestead at Almondbury will go by September next year and Cherry Tree Court, Shepley, the following month.

Tories on the council have given a cautious welcome to the development of new homes.

But their spokeswoman Clr Margaret Bates added: "Resources need to be in place in the long term as more of our senior citizens are living longer."