BURNLEY MP Peter Pike met Lancashire county councillor Chris Cheetham to discuss controversial plans for the county's homes for the elderly.

Mr Pike added his weight to the protest being spearheaded by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's Save Our Care Homes campaign.

He said: "While there needs to be much consideration of all the issues involved I am satisfied that it is a genuine consultation and that the format for Burnley will not be as proposed in the consultation paper.

"The elected representatives from Burnley Borough Council need to meet the county to discuss the issues involved as soon as possible.

"And I am sure the county council's objective is to secure an improved overall standard of care for our elderly people.

"It is clear a lot of consultation is going on and clearly both on the outcome and timing there is scope to improve the position."

He continued: "I will be submitting my comments to the consultation next month and I await the proposals to be made later this year when they will obviously be very closely scrutinised."

The consultation follows a launch of proceedings for a judicial review of plans to close care homes in Lancashire. Lancashire Care Association, together with seven homeowners and eleven residents, issued proceedings in the High Court on Monday, May 12.

The LCA is seeking the review under the Human Rights Act on the grounds that the proposals are putting the welfare of elderly people at risk.

The county council plans to close 35 of its 49 care homes - 19 of which are in East Lancashire.

The county council has 21 days to issue its grounds to resist the application for permission for a judicial review.

The issue was raised with Mr Pike at his advice bureau held in Padiham at the weekend.