IT is so important that everyone who is against Lancashire County Council's proposed closures of the 35 care homes does something about it and fights for our old folk, as they did for us.

The Hyndburn Action Group has organised meetings with the relevant councillors and MPs and made our views known. We have collected thousands of signatures, contacted the pressure group, RAGE, which is helping with the fight, written many letters, contacted local and national newspapers, radio stations, the BBC and every organisation concerned with care homes has been contacted, including the Royal British Legion.

We have made the residents' plight known all over the country and even in Canada, Australia, America and Germany.

All say the proposals is a disgrace and that the County Council should stop this inhumane proposals NOW.

The last meeting we organised was with the deputy leader of the County Council.

This very important meeting held in Accrington Town Hall was well publicised through local newspapers, radio, TV, posters, etc. letters were sent to councillors and some relatives of residents.

Only 35 people turned up. We were very disappointed with the turn out.

Time is not on our side. We have got until August 1. So I ask all the councillors of Accrington and all the parties who are against the closures to please show their support by attending the meetings and all relatives and friends to come too.

We are now part of the Preston group which has organised a rally in Preston on Saturday, June 29 at 11.45am to march to County Hall.

Please show your support by attending the rally. Anyone who wants to go and needs transport should ring David Baxter on 01254-385340.

By the year 2006, 468,288 pensioners will need care -- about 18,000 more than those who do at present. If care homes continue to close at the same rate as they have for the last three years, there will be only 462,900 beds, leaving a shortfall of more than 6,000. By 2007, that gap will have widened to more than 21,000.

Our older folk deserve better.

LYNNE ATKINSON, Hyndburn Action Group, Whitaker Street, Accrington.