MORE than 1,600 people have signed a petition against plans to close a care home.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is looking to shut down St Michael's House in Chell, along with the Meadows, in Bucknall, in order to save £334,000.

But 1,668 people have now put their names to a petition calling for the authority to keep St Michael's open.

St Michael's underwent £1.4 million of improvements in 2008, turning it into a rehabilitation "centre of excellence".

Mainly elderly patients are sent there to regain their independence after being discharged from the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

Under the council's plans, rehabilitation care services would be moved from St Michael's and the Meadows to Marrow House in Meir Hay, which is currently a dementia centre of excellence.

Relatives of residents at all three homes are fighting the proposals.

Ann James, ward councillor for Great Chell and Packmoor and deputy leader of the City Independents group, said she was not surprised that so many people were opposing the closures.

She said: "It's very strange that just a few years ago the council turned these homes into centres of excellence, with lots of publicity, but now they're looking to close them.

"All the hard work and money that's gone into them will be for nothing.

"They've already closed Heathside House and Eardley House. If they close St Michael's, and the day centre in Burslem, there will be nothing left in the north of the city at all.

"Some people seem to forget that this city is nine miles long. With the bus services being cut back as well, it can take an hour to get to Longton, which just isn't practical.

"It's no surprise that so many people have signed this petition, but I don't think it will have any effect on the decision."

A petition to save the Meadows has gathered 91 signatures.

Both documents will be received by the full council when it meets on Thursday.

As the St Michael's campaign has more than the required 100 signatures, lead petitioner Laura Woods, of Packmoor, will be allowed three minutes to address the councillors at the meeting before a decision is made.

Joan Taylor, secretary of Pitshill and Greater Chell Residents' Association, said: "People in Chell feel extremely strongly about keeping St Michael's.

"If they close it down there will be nothing around here in terms of respite care."

St Michael's has 30 beds, with five permanent residents, two in short-term respite and 23 in rehabilitation.

There are 36 beds at the Meadows, with six permanent residents, five in short-term respite and 22 in rehabilitation.

The council plans to move all rehabilitation placements to Marrow House while permanent residents and those in respite care will be placed privately.

The city council needs to cut £24 million from its 2012/13 budget.