TODAY (Friday) is D-Day for campaigners who have been fighting to save old folk's homes.

They will be asking a High Court judge to halt the closure of Warthfield in Bury and Whittaker House in Radcliffe.

An urgently-called judicial review started yesterday (Thurs Aug 15), but was adjourned until today. A decision is expected this afternoon.

Half of the residents at Warthfield, which is scheduled to close within weeks, have already been moved to alternative accommodation.

Lawyers acting for residents at Warthfield and at Whittaker House, which is listed for closure next year, say the council is violating residents' human rights. They also fear for their health, and say there was not enough consultation.

Mr Justice Richards is being asked to overturn the council's decision to close the two homes and to open the way for former residents of Warthfield to return there if they wish.

But council bosses say both homes had to be closed because they no longer met the required standards for registration and that there was a full and lawful consultation exercise.