ANGRY pensioners staged a protest outside Bury Town Hall this week over radical plans which could see four of the borough's old folks' homes close.

Demonstrators, many aged in their 70s and 80s and some in wheelchairs, waved placards underlining their opposition to the controversial proposals.

Among the 40 protesters were residents of several old folks' homes, their relatives and staff.

The protest was held to coincide with Monday night's (June 11) meeting of the Bury''s health, housing and social services scrutiny and review panel which was due to discuss the issue.

But councillors agreed to defer the matter to a special panel meeting to be staged next Tuesday (June 18) at 7pm.

The majority of the demonstrators were drawn from Whittaker House in Radcliffe while others represented Red Bank, also located in Radcliffe, and Bury-based Warthfield.

Due to a proposed social services shake-up, aimed at drastically cutting long-term accommodation in local authority homes across the borough, four establishments could be closed.

Warthfield in Bury and Claremont in Prestwich are set to be shut in September, and Beech Grove in Bury and Whittaker House in Radcliffe outlined for closure by the middle of next year.

One of Monday night's demonstrators, a home staff member who asked not to be named, said: "The mood during our protest was one of anger.

"Those demonstrating were a mixture of residents, their families and home staff. Everyone is extremely concerned at what is being proposed and that was why we decided to go ahead with the protest."

During public question time, at the start of the meeting, some of the protesters quizzed councillors about the plans.

The issue will now be the only agenda item when the panel reconvenes next Tuesday at Bury Town Hall to debate the issue. Any recommendations will go forward to the council's executive committee the following evening when a final decision is expected to be made.