ELDERLY people could be left out in the cold if care homes close warns Wyre Borough Council.

The council is concerned that the borough's ever-increasing population of old and vulnerable people may end up without care if County Council proposals to close Fleetwood's Worsley House and Poulton's Queensway Lodge go ahead.

Lancashire County Council is proposing to close 35 of its 48 homes for the elderly, and Wyre Borough is now formally writing to them expressing concern about the implications for the elderly.

Leader of the council, Alan Vincent, said: "We are concerned about the implications that any closures might have on the elderly in Wyre and the gap that could be left in the service position.

"If Lancashire County Council care homes do not meet the necessary standards it is likely that private care homes will also fail to meet these standards, and so may face closure.

"Wyre already has the lowest number of sheltered housing spaces per 1,000-head of population in the whole of Lancashire. If there are fewer care homes and sheltered accommodation places available what will happen to Wyre's ever-increasing population of old and vulnerable people?"

Wyre's chief executive, Michael Brown, has also written to the North West organiser of Unison, Cliff Williams, inviting him to attend a meeting at Poulton's Civic Centre to discuss the proposals.

Representatives from action groups of homes under the threat of closure, together with the MPs Joan Humble (Blackpool North and Fleetwood) and Hilton Dawson (Lancaster and Wyre), will also be invited to allow views to be heard from both sides.

Coun Vincent added: "A number of public meetings have been held but there are still a number of questions that need answering. Above all, we will be seeking reassurance from Lancashire County Council that the needs and expectations of older people in the 21st century will be met in the best way possible, and that none of Wyre's older people will be disadvantaged."

Pat Gordon, leader of the campaign to save Worsley House, said: "I am very pleased that the council has now publicly come on board to help us keep these homes open.

"It is a very positive step forward that will undoubtedly help to boost the morale of residents in Worsley House who currently feel like there is a big cloud hanging over their heads."

Mrs Gordon has also managed to arrange a meeting next month with County Coun Chris Cheetham, who is heading the consultation on the care homes.

She added: "Myself and other campaigners will be presenting a business plan that will show the viability of keeping Worsley House open. We will also be taking a profile of all residents to put over the fact that we are talking about people and not just statistics."