Two rival politicians have joined a growing protest to keep a Benfleet elderly people's home open.
Christine Butler , Labour MP for Castle Point, and the borough's former Tory MP, Bob Spink, both said they would lobby Essex County Council to demand that closure was not an option at Goldenley, in Richmond Avenue.
The arch political rivals spoke out after County Hall confirmed it was considering a shake-up which would free up funds to help elderly people stay in their own homes.
As a result, the future of up to 25 homes across the county now hangs in the balance.
Closure is just one of five options revealed in the Age Matters consultation document drawn up by Essex County Council and the county's two health authorities.
Other options include keeping the current system, selling or leasing homes to the private sector or using homes as rehabilitation centres for the elderly released from hospital.
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