CAMPAIGNERS are gearing up for one last attempt to save council old folks' homes.

Despite their protests, councillors went ahead last week with plans to close four homes including Whittaker House in Radcliffe.

Town hall bosses say the changes, the most radical shake-up of social services for years, are inevitable. They have decided to close Warthfield in Bury and Claremont in Prestwich by September, and Beech Grove in Bury and Whittaker House next summer.

However, a further report outlining the financial implications of closure is to be presented to the council's executive on July 10. Campaigners have vowed that they will use this occasion to try one more time to overturn the plans.

Bury has been criticised by inspectors for having too much residential accommodation and not enough community care in the borough.

Closing the four homes would save £610,000 in a full year, and there would be a substantial income by selling off the sites.

However, Councillor Mike Connolly, executive member for social services, says the sites have not yet been valued.

"We acknowledge that it's traumatic for the residents," he said. "We will fall over backwards to ensure that transfer to a new home is as smooth and painless as it can be."

Councillors also approved, in principle, plans to change the use of the remaining six council homes, and are awaiting detailed reports on those. The aim is to turn them into resource centres or specialist homes.

Coun Connolly said: "For some, residential care will be an option, but for others, it won't. People will be encouraged to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible with appropriate care, along with specialist rehabilitation, dementia and day care services.

"I firmly believe that these are the right things to do."

He said he would lobby for all the money received from the closures to be reinvested into services for elderly people, although this was a matter for the council.