A councillor has vowed he will break the law rather than let two pensioners be evicted from their home.

Nyewood House in Bognor Regis is set to close today but two pensioners are adamant they are not going to leave.

West Sussex County Council wrote to two remaining residents, Peggy Rousell, 83, and Stan Smith, 79, saying they must leave today.

Council bosses say they have no powers to evict the pair but if they have not left the building today they will take legal advice.

But Coun Jan Cosgrove, a member of Arun District Council and Bognor Regis Town Council, is taking no chances and had told the two residents to call him immediately if any council worker arrives at the home.

Coun Cosgrove said: "It's a show of solidarity. I am prepared to break the law and be arrested rather than have two pensioners hassled.

"It is disgraceful that the county council is prepared to throw two pensioners out of their home. I believe this such an affront of their dignity.

"I am in full support of the two residents and do not think the home should be closed but should be filled up with residents.

"If the county council cannot run it, then they should sell it to a trust or someone else to run it.

"I have told them to call me immediately if anything happens and I will go down there straight away and stand in their way."

There was a storm of protest 18 months ago when councillors voted to shut Nyewood House, in Hawthorn Road, together with three other homes.

A campaign was launched to try to save the complex, opened in 1970.

The council said it would give residents as long as they wanted to find alternative homes and 40 people have gradually moved out since then.

A council spokesman said: "Nothing will happen if the two residents are still there. We have informed them that we intend to close on September 1.

"We had to set a date on which we intended to close the home."