PROTESTERS have accused Bury Council of reneging on promises over a threatened old folks home.

They claim the council promised that a second structural survey would be done on Warthfield.

But bosses are denying that they gave any such undertaking, adding that the existing survey is perfectly good.

Campaigners say they will now pay for an independent engineer's assessment at Warthfield, which was recently given a High Court reprieve from closure.

The council's survey was given as one reason why the Radcliffe Road home should close, but it has been described as contradictory by some. It suggested that £300,000 was needed for major repairs, or £60,000 for cosmetic remedial work.

But confusion has arisen following a meeting of the healthier and safer communities scrutiny panel.

Mr Mark Sanders, chief executive, said the official minutes showed that Councillor Mike Connolly, executive member for social services, did not promise a second survey.

"I have consulted Councillor Connolly," he said. "He's saying that, if there had not been a structural survey done by a qualified person, he would have called for one.

"A totally professional person did it. I see no reason to repeat it, unless somebody comes up with a reason. I am not having my staff being undermined by someone saying they are not competent."

But people who were at the meeting dispute this version of events. Mrs Jean Ellis, chairman of campaign group CARE, said she was "gob-smacked".

"He said it, and the director said it, that there was going to be another survey. This is so untrue: it was definitely said more than once."

Mrs Ellis added that the group would pay for an independent structural engineer to do a survey.

Her view was backed by Lib Dem councillor Vic D'Albert, who said: "It was clear, both in public question time and during the meeting."

He said he would question any official minutes which said otherwise.

Mr Dave Ogden, another homes campaigner, had asked the meeting for a second survey.

"They cannot say we've all got it wrong: it's certainly not my recollection of things," he said.

"I was quite pleased, because my next question was going to be, can we pay for an independent engineer? But I didn't need to say it because he said that."

Coun Connolly was unavailable for comment as the Bury Times went to press.