Teignbridge councillors are to demand answers from the NHS about the fate of a Newton Abbot psychiatric hospital that cares for older people.

They fear losing the unit could rob the area of a vital service and put further financial pressure on the authority if it has to hand out extra grants to help more people stay at home.

Devon Partnership NHS Trust is considering the future of the 16-bedded Brunel Lodge, Totnes Road, saying it costs money that might be better spent on community services.

The unit is the last of its kind in south Devon, those in Totnes and Brixham having already been axed.

Doing away with it would mean dementia sufferers who need inpatient NHS care having to travel to Exeter or Tiverton.

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