A WAR veteran who epitomised the heartache caused by Lancashire County Council's care home closure plan has died, aged 85.

Today, the son of Harold Hacking paid tribute to staff at Castleford Care Home, Clitheroe, for the tremendous care his father received, and the care his mother Anne, 79, continues to receive.

Mr and Mrs Hacking's plight caused outrage across Lancashire when it was revealed by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph in March 2002.

The couple said no-one from Lancashire County Council - which runs Castleford, their home since 1992 and venue for their golden wedding anniversary in 1998 - had been able to reassure them they would be kept together when the closures were implemented.

The county council prompted outrage with its plans to close 32 of its 48 care homes before end of 2005 as part of widespread changes in the way it cares for the elderly.

Although Castleford is to remain open, it will have to close for repairs and improvements to be carried out - with residents moving into other homes temporarily.

After the Lancashire Evening Telegraph - which fought for the care homes to remain open - revealed the couple's plight, county hall chiefs made the pledge that all couple, and close friends, would be kept together.

Mr Hacking, who ran a farm in Bashall Eaves with his wife for more than 30 years, died on January 22 at Queen's Park Hospital in Blackburn, said his son Keith, of Kirk Avenue, Clitheroe.

His funeral took place at a chapel of rest in Chatburn, before he was interred at Clitheroe Cemetery.

Keith said: "He was only in hospital for a few days, but basically he died of old age. He had several things wrong, starting with a bad chest, and a bad heart and kidneys.

"We can't thank the staff at Castleford enough for the care they have shown to my dad and mum. They have been excellent throughout and they provide a wonderful service."

He added: "Dad was very happy there, and I don't really know much about the plans for the home. My mother is still there and she is very happy."

Donations from the funeral have been given to Castleford to help the social fund for residents there.

Mr Hacking had been an outspoken critic of the closure plans, telling the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "It is no way to treat the elderly."

Keith added: "He certainly had strong opinions about it.

"He was a very strong man. He fought throughout the Second World War and was at places like El-Alamein with the Royal Engineers."

As well as wife Anne and son Keith, Mr Hacking also leaves another son, Michael, who lives in Barnsley, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.