A PENSIONER has gone hi-tech in the battle over Lancashire's care homes after the strain of writing 1,000 letters broke his typewriter.

Norman Hickey used a second-hand electric typewriter for more than a year to harangue the Prime Minister, MPs and council bosses over the decision to axe 32 of the county's 48 homes.

The homes under threat include Northlands, in Great Harwood, where his of wife of 55 years Phoebe was staying before she died in April aged 86.

Now the 84-year-old chairman of Hyndburn Action Committee has been presented with a computer by a local firm after making do with a loaned typewriter to continue his campaign.

"I'll be able to e-mail and go on the internet now.

"We've moved into the 21st century and I'll be able to send even more out letters," he said.

The World War Two veteran, vowed last week to carry on the fight as the county council holds a series of meetings this month to tell residents and their families what will happen when their homes close.

"I was in the middle of a letter to a government minister when the typewriter went on me. After that I was given the use of another from a friend until I got myself sorted again.

"I must have written a thousand of these things, it's no wonder it broke down. I think it was me that pushed that Alan Milburn into retirement from his job in the government. I must have sent him a letter every day.

"This means I'll be able to keep on sending them and once I've mastered the internet and e-mail, I'll have another way to send my letters.

"I went down to Bedding Box to thank them and give them a bouquet of flowers because they have really come to my aid."

Margaret Reeves, of the Bedding Box, in Queen Street, Great Harwood, said: "I have read about Norman for quite a while now and I see him in the street.

"When I heard he needed help because his old typewriter had broken down I was only too happy to help.

"He's a great man who's doing a fantastic job that needs supporting."