Hundreds gathered near to the council offices

They gathered outside the county council offices in Stafford as the cabinet approved the proposals.

The council has said that if social care services are not changed, the extra money needed to deliver current services could reach �31m.

People in the homes who would be transfered to the private sector would not face additional costs, it said.

Residents 'appalled'

The final decision will be made by full council on 15 February.

Some families have raised concerns that the standard of care could suffer or they could face increased costs if the centres are closed.

Speaking near to the protest, the Mayor of Cheadle, Ernest Vernon, said: "People are most upset. The staff.. and the residents in the residential homes are absolutely appalled."

The council has promised to re-locate all 460 residents.

It has said about a third would need nursing care, which the council does not provide.

The council has said 85% of people in Staffordshire want to stay in their homes and it is proposing more provision for them, including drop-in centres.