CAMPAIGNERS made a last ditch attempt to save the county's threatened care homes on Wednesday when they hand-delivered a petition to Downing Street.

Other residents still fighting for their homes are to meet with health ministers this week.

The moves come as the public consultation into the proposed closure of 35 homes ends tomorrow (Friday), with the final decision due early August.

Len Griffiths, a resident at New Manor home, Liverpool Road, Longton, was responsible for handing over the thousand-named 'Save Our Homes' petition.

Fellow campaigner Anne Trafford, of Lancashire Care Homes United, said: "We are calling on the Government to act as a matter of urgency to protect our elderly people and avert what we believe will be a disastrous situation."

The proposals were announced after the social services department revealed they cannot foot the bill to bring all their homes up to new Government standards.

It was estimated that £14.5 million would be needed to bring them up to scratch. Social services hinted they would like to change the way elderly people are cared for and help people stay in their own homes instead.

Members of the public service union Unison, including workers from the threatened Lancashire homes, will soon meet health minister Jacqui Smith, to argue the case for saving the homes.

South Ribble MP David Borrow sent his support to the campaigners. The Labour MP said: "I am certainly involved strongly with the council in arguing to ensure that there is proper provision for care for the elderly.

"I was very critical of the consultation document being produced by the council -- mainly on the basis that there is not enough information in there for anyone to be certain that there would be enough places in residential care for people who need it in years to come."