COUNCILLORS and care home bosses today united to ask social services bosses to rethink their plans.

Both borough and county councillors believe an alternative to the immediate care home closures can be found -- if the county council agrees to talk for longer.

They hope the Government's announcement that new standards issued for care homes were only guidelines could trigger a rethink at County Hall.

Coun Azhar Ali, leader of Pendle Council, said: "We fully support the Government's proposed reforms that are intended to lead to an evolutionary change within the social sector and accept that 'status quo' is not a viable option.

"Furthermore, we welcome the recent announcement by the Secretary of State for Health, Alan Milburn MP, that an extra £1billion will be invested over the next four years for social services for the elderly.

"We, therefore, call upon Lancashire County Council not to make any decision until further consultation with local authorities, Lancashire Care Association, NHS Primary Care Trusts and other interested parties takes place."

Pendle county councillor and Lib Dem leader David Whipp said: "There needs to be real proof that the alternatives have been discussed.

"Everyone opposes the plans but we already have a timeline drawn up for when the homes close.

"They just need to find another solution."

Coun Tom Sharratt, a county councillor unattached to any party said: "Other county councils across the country and having exactly the same problems as Lancashire.

"Coun Chris Cheetham and Coun Hazel Harding should talk to those other authorities and work with the Local Government Association to lobby for extra money to solve this problem.

"I have suggested this to them in private, in writing and in public but it has not been acted on. No mention has been made of my remarks in the report which outlined the response to the original consultation. That makes me question what else has been left out."

Frank Hessey, chairman of the Lancashire Care Association which represents the private sector, said: "The entire shake-up is a disaster for everyone concerned. They didn't talk to us at the start, they just announced it."