COUNCIL chiefs today gave their clearest indication yet that not all of the 35 care homes on a closure hitlist will be shutdown.

But they insisted that they still need extra cash to build a new modern care home if they are to keep every pensioner in county care in council homes.

Top of the list of those which could remain open is Cravenside, Barnoldswick, which Lancashire County Council leader Hazel Harding today said had 'a strong case for remaining open.' Coun Harding, along with finance chief Tony Martin and Coun Chris Cheetham, the man who drew up the plans to close the care homes, had an hour-long grilling meeting with health minister Jacqui Smith last night.

Organised by Lancashire MPs Gordon Prentice and Joan Humble, it had been hoped the meeting would lead to a climbdown by county council bosses over plans to close 35 of 48 care homes, including 19 in East Lancashire.

Afterwards, Coun Harding said: "There is no point ending the consultation now.

"We have been listening to what people have said to us and the final proposals will be very different to those laid on the table."

Last week, Prime Minister Tony Blair entered the argument over the homes, urging the county council to think again because local council budgets were set to rise six per cent next year.

Coun Harding said: "The option we laid on the table when we launched the consultation won't cost us any extra money.

"We would sell off some of the homes to pay for refurbishing others and spend more to care for people in their own homes.

"But if we are to keep everyone currently in county care in our homes then we need extra capital. The money Tony Blair spoke about is revenue cash to spend on providing services and is very welcome because it shows he is listening.

"But to build a new care home to allow us to move people in such a way that they will not leave our care will cost extra capital and the minister said she was keen to see projects used in other parts of the country repeated here."

Some care authorities have built purpose-built homes which cater for long-term, respite and daycare patients. Council bosses are known to be keen on a similar project in Lancashire -- if the money is available.

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