HOW commendable it is that Pendle councillors have taken the initiative and shown great consideration to find a housing provider to rescue and save the care homes in their borough. -- designated for closure by Lancashire County Council.

They should be praised for their efforts and other boroughs should follow their example.

In contrast, our spineless county councillors have now, conveniently, accepted the early retirement of their Director of Social Services, whose department was responsible for care homes throughout the county.

The timing of her departure may be a coincidence after blunders made in her department but due to their own mismanagement, perhaps it's time all the county councillors took early retirement and handed back all control of services to the local borough control.

At least, as in the case of Pendle, local councillors have had the compassion and understanding to know the needs of their elderly community.

ALLAN HUNT, Hargreaves Road, Oswaldtwistle.