PRIVATE care homes in Lancashire have broken ranks with the legal team representing an action group and residents of county council homes against the closure of 32 homes.

The three groups -- Lancashire Care Homes Association, Hyndburn Action Committee (HAC) and residents in the public homes set to close -- were to have been represented by solicitor Yvonne Hossack but it was revealed today that Lancashire Care Homes Association has appointed a new solicitor to fight their case alone.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph has also learned that the LCA have been holding talks with the county council.

Mrs Hossack, said: "I'm no longer acting for the Lancashire Care Homes Association and haven't been since January.

"They have just appointed new solicitors.

"The public home residents have a very strong case in my view and we are looking forward to the hearing in March."

County council cabinet member for social services Chris Cheetham said: "We have had some discussions with LCA and I think we will be making a joint announcement early next week. I think we are both pleased with the progress we have made."

Paul Simic, chief executive of LCA, said: "We are still looking to the courts to solve the matter but we are also looking to see if there's a better option for members of the association and users of the service."

Lynne Atkinson, vice chairman of HAC, said: "We're very disappointed because we think we'd have been a good force together, but it's made us more determined to fight on the human rights issue.

"We are fighting not just for Lancashire old folk but on a national level. This case is going to set a precedent. It's spreading all over the country and people need to be aware of it."

The county council's plans to close 32 of their 48 care homes brought an outcry from residents and members of the public, with hundreds taking to the streets to protest, but councillors voted the proposals through in September.

The case will be heard at the High Court in London from Monday, March 3.