MORALE is hitting an all time low for many residents of the Fylde care homes facing closure, despite the recent announcement of a U-turn in proceedings by council bosses.

Lancashire County Council leader Hazel Harding told BBC Radio Lancashire and North West Tonight this week that old people who wish to remain in council homes would be guaranteed a place and that the strategy was under review.

This flies in the face of previous statements by County Coun Chris Cheetham, Cabinet Member for Social Services, that 35 of the county's 48 homes would be closed.

But this partial backdown in plans has failed to allay the fears of many of the elderly residents at Worsley House, in Fleetwood, and Thornton House.

Following a meeting at Milton Community Centre, Fleetwood, this week residents were reported to have broken down in tears of utter desperation and confusion about their future.

Pat Gordon, chairwoman for the Save Worsley House campaign told The Citizen: "The residents have extremely low morale at the moment. They are very confused and upset and still haven't been told exactly what is going on. I even spoke to one lady resident who was in tears and feeling very emotional.

"We don't want the council's high promises that it might stay open. We want to see in writing that it will stay open indefinitely and not just for the duration of their lives. We don't see it as a U-turn at all but a pacifier. Our campaigning will carry on as before.

"We are campaigning from the heart and still want more of the public to join us." Coun Hazel Harding has asked officers to urgently explore how the 1,100 residents in the County Council's care homes can remain in homes run by the county and not be moved into the private sector.

She said: "We continue to listen. There has been so much uncertainty for the elderly in our care. I want to give them an assurance that I will do everything I can to make sure they stay in local authority care."

Lancashire County Council is also hosting a further series of meetings of the District Liaison Committees.

Fylde will be holding their committee meeting regarding Cross Acres in St Annes at 7pm next Tuesday, March 19, in Lytham Assembly Rooms.