I READ with interest the remarks by Mr John Burns on care homes (Letters, September 3) as I know he has a great deal of first-hand experience of both sheltered housing and residential care and I applaud his sentiments on the varying levels of care that people need.

I was saddened to note that in the same issue we were confronted with the reality of what becomes of the homes that are forced to close due to lack of funding.

I refer to the proposals from a private buyer to convert the former Witton Bank nursing home in Blackburn into a 30-bed asylum-seekers' centre.

Let's not lightly push aside the 30 residents who were ousted out of their home by the powers-that-be. I suspect that the buyer of the property will be making a profit from the misfortunes of the asylum seekers -- and why not, when our government gives them free range to do so?

Yes, of course who have a moral duty to help those whose lives are in grave danger if they remain in their homelands.

However, we have an even greater moral duty to the people of this country who fought and gave up their lives, husbands and sons so that we can live without this type of fear.

Our elderly people's lives are being put in grave danger by trying to stay in their own homes, never mind their homelands.

I send a heartfelt plea to the powers-that-be who can put an end to these closures. Stop, think and take action before our cemeteries are full to overflowing.

P FLAHERTY (Mrs), Albion Street, Blackburn.