Families fighting to save two threatened dementia care homes in Kirklees have released a powerful and emotional video ahead of Christmas.

Kirklees Council wants to shut down Castle Grange in Newsome and Claremont House in Heckmondwike as it battles to stave off bankruptcy.

Families fear their relatives, all of whom have severe dementia and need a settled and familiar routine, would not survive the upheaval of a move to a new home.

The families have begged councillors to “find another way” and champion and not shut down two much-loved homes where they say care is second to none.

Residents and their loved ones at Claremont House recorded a video of a heart-warming rendition of the 1950s song ‘I Believe’, a massive No1 hit for Frankie Laine.

A spokesman for the campaigners, Donna Mallinson, whose mum lives at Claremont House, said the video summed up everything their campaign was about.

“We want to highlight what wonderful homes both Claremont House and Castle Grange are and this shows exactly what the homes are about,” she said. “They are one big extended family which should not be split up.

“Kirklees cannot be allowed to close these homes down. All the residents are happy and cared for and this cannot be replicated anywhere else.

“The council cannot put the lives of our loved ones at risk by making them move.”

Closing dementia care homes will take a ‘terrible toll on loved ones and their families’