Hundreds gathered near to the council offices

Staffordshire County Council said it had taken the decision as the extra money needed to deliver current services by 2010 could reach �31m.

Protesters gathered at the council's offices to voice their opposition to the plans for 22 homes to close from March 2008, affecting 460 people.

Residents will be moved without facing extra costs, the council has said.

The option to do nothing and stand still is simply not an option Cllr Terry Dix, leader of Staffordshire County Council

Protesters fear the move will cause the residents and their families too much disruption.

Ten day care centres will also close, affecting the disabled, elderly and vulnerable.

At a meeting on Thursday councillors confirmed the closure and agreed to spend more than �19m over the next three years on support for residents in their own homes.

A council spokesman said it faces financial difficulties due to the aging population. In less than four years those aged 60 and over in the county will increase by 14%, jumping to 37% by 2021.

Vow to fight

Councillor Terry Dix, council leader, said it had to act and will be talking to those affected.

"By the county council voting to invest over �19m in new care services, this will ensure that we are able to provide for the needs for the ever-increasing number of older and disabled people in Staffordshire," he said.

"The option to do nothing and stand still is simply not an option.

"In Staffordshire, and throughout the UK, the population is aging massively and we must act now to safeguard for today and the future."

Eugene Hide, a resident at Roseneath home in Stone, told the BBC he would not give up without a fight.