THE fight to save Lancashire's care homes is set to go to Downing Street tomorrow.

Prime Minister Tony Blair will be presented with a bundle of petitions containing the signatures of people who are backing the campaign.

A consultation on plans to close 35 of the county's 48 homes will end on Friday. The Government has already urged the council to think carefully about its proposals, but at the same time is still pushing the authority to reduce the number of elderly people being admitted into care homes. Instead, the Government wants people to be cared for in their own homes. And Lancashire County council wants to divert funds into its domiciliary care services at the expense of the care homes, which need £14.5million to refurbish.

Elderly residents, their family and union members will all visit Downing Street in the morning.

Ann Trafford, of Lancashire Care Homes United, one of the groups opposing the closures, said: "We are calling on the Government to act as a matter of urgency to protect our elderly people and avert what we believe to be a disastrous situation."

Unison members from Lancashire, including staff who work in the threatened homes, will meet with Jacqui Smith, the Health Minister, to ask for the homes to stay open.

Unison General Secretary Dave Prentis said: "Saving the homes is crucial to the well being of current residents and their families and for the future of the NHS and care for the elderly."

Campaigners will stage a rally in Preston on June 29 before the final decision is due to be taken on August 1.