A VETERAN soldier has been rewarded for his work campaigning against the closure of care homes in Lancashire by being made chairman of a campaign group.

Norman Hickey has worked tirelessly for more than a year with Hyndburn Action Committee to try to prevent Lancashire County Council closing 32 of their 48 homes.

His impassioned pleas to the council have earned him the reputation of being a battler. Now after more than a year which has seen the World War Two veteran travel to London as part of a planned Judicial Review into the county council's decision, he has taken over from former chairman Dave Baxter who had to step down for health reasons.

The High Court review was halted at the 11th hour after the council promised not to move anyone until they had had a GP's assessment on the impact of a move, and to postpone closure while a risk exists.

The 84-year-old began campaigning when the announcement was made in February last year, just four days after his wife of 55 years Phoebe became a resident at Northlands, in Great Harwood, one of the homes axed. Tragically Phoebe died in April aged 86, but Norman has continued to highlight the plight of other residents.

And he has pledged 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 to them when their homes close.

Lynne Atkinson, vice chairman of committee, said: "Norman deserves this title. He's so passionate. He speaks from the heart and can see the things that are wrong. He's standing up for what he believes is right and he's earned the title.

Norman, of Lyndon Court, Great Harwood, said: "It's fantastic. It's something I never envisaged. I think what committee has done is remarkable. We have taken the establishment to the highest level we can get.

"We have slowed the closures considerably because these homes would have gone long since if we hadn't fought."

Norman, who has written more than 1,000 letters to the Prime Minister, MPs and councillors has also appealed for help in finding a computer with Internet access after his trusty electric typewriter broke. If you can help call Lynne Atkinson on 01254 384265.