A WAR veteran fighting against the closure of 32 care homes is taking his cause to the House of Commons by writing to every MP in Parliament.

Norman Hickey spent nearly a week writing the letter, photocopying it, typing labels and assembling the packages ready for postage.

"I was up sometimes until three or four o'clock in the morning," said the 83-year-old.

His wife was admitted to Northlands Nursing Home. Great Harwood, in January three days before the county council announced their intention to axe two-thirds of their homes.

His letter says: "If it's not bad enough closing the homes, where some residents have spent their lives for a great number of years, LCC advise that no resident will be moved more than twice.

"They have been told by experts in this field that just moving them once from their home could well be fatal.

"Sadly it seems they do not comprehend the seriousness of this information. They have refused to listen time and time again to thousands of opposition voices throughout Lancashire.

"If just one resident suffers, it will be one too many, and being sorry will be of no help at all to the injured or those finally at peace resting in their graves."

Mr Hickey, who fought in the Second World War with the East Lancashire Regiment's 5th Battalion in 1944, has vowed his wife of 55 years, Phoebe, will not be moved from her home.

Yesterday morning the nation saw Norman's plea to save the homes when he appeared live on a national television breakfast show.

The county council took their controversial decision in September after months of campaigning by groups across the county.

It is facing legal action in the High Court from three different groups - the Lancashire Care Homes United group, a network of action groups across Lancashire and the Lancashire Care Association, which represents private sector homes, who will also suffer as a result of the council's plans to care for more elderly people in their own homes.

A group of local authorities including Burnley, Chorley and Wyre are also taking action.

Hyndburn Council opted out of the legal action at the outset saying it wold cost too much of taxpayers' money.