ANGRY old folk gathered outside Bury Town Hall in a protest over care home funding.

The demonstration was organised by Bury Care Providers Action Group -- made up of independent care home owners -- who mobilised their residents in what is becoming an increasingly bitter battle with the council.

The row centres on the amount of money Bury Council gives independent home-owners to care for elderly residents referred by social services.

Chairman of the action group, Mr Boyd Farrar, general manager of the "not-for-profit" Heathlands Village, said after Thursday's protest: "Our residents are really angry.

"Just because they are older does not mean they don't have an opinion.

"They are very anxious that unless we get a fair price from the council, some homes will disappear in the next few years."

The council has put together a three-year, above-inflation package which equates to a rise of 17.5 per cent.

Bury Council executive member for health and social services, Councillor Mike Connolly said: "The owners have been demanding a 40 per cent increase in fees.

"But that would have cost us £3 milllion, the equivalent of a six per cent increase in council tax.

"We do recognise our fees are low and we have some sympathy with the owners."

But he added: "We feel this is realistic in terms of what we can afford."

The action group, which represents 24 care providers in the borough, says the council currently pays £1.48 per hour to care for residents and that £2.04 per hour would be a "reasonable" figure -- that equates to around £350 a week rather than the £250 Bury pays.

Mr Farrar added: "We don't want to talk about percentages; we just want a fair rate for the job.

"The amount we receive now is not only unreasonable, it is less than Bury pays its own homes."

In a poster campaign, the action group holds up neighbouring Oldham -- where the council spends £300-plus on residential care -- as an example of a fair deal.

The disagreement will come to a head next week with the expiry of contracts which several homes have with the council.

Mr Farrar said: "Our members will continue to care for residents when those contracts expire on May 9, but we will be instigating legal moves."