Hundreds have protested against the council's decision

Staffordshire County Council has said it cannot afford rising care costs and is to hand control to the private sector from 2008, affecting 460 people.

Solicitor Yvonne Hossack was granted an injunction last Friday preventing the council from transferring residents.

But on the same day, residents were told that the homes were closing.

A spokesman for the council said it could not comment in the light of the injunction but said it was consulting with each individual resident.

This is the worst case I've come across in 10 years of working for the disabled Yvonne Hossack, solicitor

It added it would invest �19m over three years in new services for the disabled and elderly.

Relatives said they were shocked that letters had been given directly to "vulnerable" residents without their families present, many of whom had not told their loved ones that the homes were to close.

Mick Barlow, whose mother has lived at Roseneath residential home in Stone for seven years, said he was assured by a senior official that his mother would not be told about the closure unless either he or his sister were there.

"It is just horrific to put this in front of vulnerable people," he said.

"If something does happen we, the families, can tell them in due course."

The injunction is to be reviewed on Friday at the High Court where Mrs Hossack, who currently represents 40 residents, will ask for more to be protected by its terms.

She said relatives had not been properly consulted about the closures and the letters had caused huge upset and confusion among residents.

Council staff visited at least four homes on 2 March which led to scenes of "pandemonium," she added.

Ms Hossack said the effects of moving elderly people against their will posed serious health risks.

"I've never seen assurances given in court then an authority just carry on," she added.

"This is the worst case I've come across in 10 years of working for the disabled."