THE threat to close 35 residential care homes across Lancashire should be withdrawn immediately, Pendle Council have demanded.

In a 37-0 vote they have called on Lancashire County Council to withdraw the consultation document and the threat of closure immediately.

They have also asked legal officers to examine the consultation document with the view of taking the county council to judicial review.

County councillors on Pendle Council declared a conflict of interest and left the council chamber during the debate.

The resolution was proposed by Coun Frank Clifford who said old social welfare pioneers in Nelson would turn in their graves at what was proposed.

He said: "I cannot understand the thinking or rationale behind what the county council is proposing. It is ludicrous."

Coun Clifford, former chairman of the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Community Health Council and now a non-executive director on Burnley Health Care Trust added: "What they have done already is to cause maximum anxiety in the hearts and minds of old people up and down the county and concern for their carers and families."

The resolution calls on the LCC to open up an immediate dialogue with Pendle Council, other district councils and others including primary care trusts, housing associations, hospital trusts to solve the county's problems on the issue and to ensure the homes were kept open.

Pendle is also asking that admissions to the homes are maintained and that the maximum level of occupancy is achieved.

They also agreed to meet Pendle's county councillors to ask for their opposition to the threatened closures and to invite Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, to attend.

They will also ask the county what facilities will be available to take evidence and receive representations from Pendle Council.

Coun Clifford said the county council had until 2007 to meet requirements of the government's new standards. There was no need to rush.