A CAMPAIGNER against the closure of 32 care homes in Lancashire has accused her borough council of "hoodwinking" people by over-estimating the cost of legal action.

Kath Shackleton, a member of the Hyndburn Action Committee, part of a network of groups taking legal action against the county council over the closure programme, criticised Hyndburn Council leader Ian Ormerod for saying it would cost £30,000 of taxpayers' money to join the fight.

Speaking at a meeting of the Great Harwood area council last night, she said the campaigners' solicitor, Yvonne Hossack, had told the councils the cost at a meeting last month..

Hyndburn Council has declined to take part in the legal action because of the cost.

But the committee member said: "The solicitor spoke to all the borough council representatives to advise them that if they came on board with us it would cost £35,000 distributed among 12 district councils. That's about £3,000 per council. We have been hoodwinked by our council.

"You cannot believe what our council is putting out about this because unfortunately they are toeing the party line and doing what their masters tell them."

County Coun Doreen Pollitt defended the decision to close the homes but said it had been difficult.