REGARDING your 'Save Our Homes Campaign,' while I applaud your stance in supporting the elderly in care homes who are clearly concerned at the proposed closures, the problem is far deeper.

The responsibility for these elderly people cannot be put solely on the shoulders of the councillors making the proposals.

Are we to assume that all of the elderly in the 35 homes earmarked for closure are without family? Their relatives should recognise that they too have a responsibility. You don't just dump your parents because they are old.

The relatives of these people are complaining bitterly and blaming everyone but themselves.

Why do they assume that the onus for the care of their own parents lies with the council and taxpayers?

Society has created a nation of people who think it quite acceptable to dump elderly relatives into homes when they are assumed to be of no further use.

We should take a good look at our Asian neighbours. Within their community elderly people are revered and respected. They are made to feel important within the family unit and are never made to feel they are a burden.

Where are family values if people are dumped into a home when "past their sell-by date?"

Given the choice, most elderly people when provided with adequate care facilities, would prefer to remain in their own home and I fully support any move which enables them to do so.

I am aware that there must be occasions when relatives are forced to seek alternative care for elderly relatives. But on such a large scale?

Some of the residents claim they will be lonely if they were to remain in their own homes. Well, that says a lot for all these relatives who are fighting to prevent these closures. One would assume that, considering the outcry from these relatives, the council homes would be constantly chock full with visitors, but this is not the case.

The accusations directed at county council leader Hazel Harding are totally unjust. I have no doubt that she speaks for a great many regarding her comments that she herself would wish to remain in her own home. And if plans are given the go-ahead to provide facilities and extra input to enable people to do so, then it should be welcomed.

I accept it will be a great upheaval if these old people have to be moved into other accommodation. But it sinks into insignificance compared with their being removed from their own homes in the first place.

C GILLESPIE, Waterfoot, Rossendale.