Pensioners are considering barricading themselves into their rundown homes which have been threatened with closure.

Bet Collins, who will be 83 next month, is terrified that the sheltered accommodation where she and three of her friends live will be bulldozed.

One elderly resident committed suicide last year after being told she must leave Burdwood House in Brighton Road, Lancing.

Now only four pensioners remain, each determined to stay as long as possible in conditions their landlords say are unacceptable.

Mrs Collins said: "They want us out and the sooner the better so they can knock this place down, but we're refusing to go at the moment.

"When we first came here it was completely full and we had such a lovely social life. Our warden is an absolute wonder.

"Most of the residents who have left here are under gravestones."

Staff have been told the home will be closed in March when it will be demolished and replaced by 23 new affordable apartments.

Owner Rosemary Simmons Memorial Housing Association said it had spent £10,000 already this month on emergency repairs to the dilapidated building.

But, despite numerous attempts to move the four remaining women, they are refusing to budge because they say their ground floor flats are in perfect condition.

Each has been offered one of the new apartments, which should be ready 18 months after the site has been cleared.

Mrs Collins had to wait 12 years with her husband Reg for her flat to become available.

She has lived at the house for ten years. Reg died two years ago and she scattered his ashes in the back garden.

She said: "We feel betrayed. People have come down and told us we're completely safe and then they leave and we're being told to get out.

"We've been told even if we tried to barricade ourselves in they'd take us to court to get rid of us. They're not stupid.

"They have made our lives hell. All is peaceful and quiet then along comes another letter giving us another little push out the door."

Former resident Betty Park, 86, was found dead in her chair in August 2006 having died of an overdose at the home.

She had written a suicide letter saying she could not face leaving.

Mrs Collins added: "Betty was the strongest of the lot and if they can defeat her they can defeat all of us.

"We'd like to stay here and fight but we just don't have the strength.

"They've asked 'what are you going to do when the bulldozers come rolling in?' I may chain myself to the place but they're wearing us down.

"I've got to be realistic but I just don't know where it's going to end."

Developing the site will cost about £2.4 million, with £750,000 provided through grants from Adur District Council and West Sussex County Council.

Wendy Pridmore, chief executive of Rosemary Simmons, said: "We've been trying to work with the residents because obviously we realise they don't want to move.

"We're trying to keep them together as a group and in the area. That's our aspiration."

A spokesman for Adur District Council said: "We are committed to supporting financially the redevelopment of this building to provide better quality homes for people with housing need.

"And to this end we are working with the housing association to help them find more suitable homes for the remaining four tenants, who will be offered the opportunity to return should they wish."

Are you or a relative fighting to save a care home? Call Andy Dickenson on 01273 544538 or leave your stories below.