THE decision to close 32 care homes was met with opposition from local council leaders and Lancashire Care Homes Action Group.

The action group has campaigned against the closures since they were first revealed in February this year. Now the group has served legal papers on the county council claiming they were in breach of human rights.

County Coun Chris Cheetham, cabinet member for social services, said: "I am very concerned at the claims and comments made by the small group of district councils threatening litigation against the county council. It is clear that they have not read the reports put before the council on Thursday.

"I would also point out that they are in great danger of incurring significant costs which will fall upon the taxpayers of their districts.

"If they fail they will not only have to meet their own costs but potentially ours as well." He said he was writing to ask to speak to district representatives before they decide.