YOUNG people living in children's homes in Lancashire are being asked what they think about proposals to close them down.

Lancashire County Council plans to close six children's homes, four of which are in East Lancashire. They would be in additional to two others which closed last November.

A decision is set to be taken within the next couple of months on whether to press ahead with the plans.

A report to Lancashire County Council's quality protects panel -- which monitors the work of social services -- stated that consultation with youngsters had begun.

Bob Gower, the county's residential manager, added that all youngsters had been reassured that they would not be left without a home and that nothing would happen to them that would compromise their current care arrangements.

Blake Gardens in Great Harwood and a home in Barnacre Road, Longridge, will be closed, along with two in Chorley, if the plans get the go-ahead.

The £1.3million saved by closing and selling the homes would be used to redmodel the remaining 19 so they only catered for six youngsters and two carers -- much more like a home setting.

An extra 100 foster parents are also set to be recruited in a bid to get more children living outside institutionalised care homes.

However, Union bosses claim the number of foster carers is actually dwindling, and the proposals will ultimately leave the county with no choice but to send Lancashire youngsters into homes away from the area.

County council leader Hazel Harding said: "We have been into the homes to stress to the youngsters that they are our priority and that nothing that will make things worse for them will happen.

"Members of our youth council have also been involved in discussions as well. At the end of the day, it has to be better to have youngsters in a family setting than an institutionalised home."

However, opponents of the closure still aren't convinced.

Great Harwood councillor Win Frankland said: "They want to close our OAP home, now our children's home. We have to ask 'what next?'"