LANCASHIRE County Council's leader has denied the 35 threatened care homes will definitely stay open, but has promised to try and keep residents under the arm of county council-run facilities.

County Councillor Hazel Harding said: "I'm not saying it's cast iron that people will stay in the homes they're in. I want to give them an assurance that I will do everything to make sure they stay in local authority care."

This week, county councillors across Lancashire stepped into the firing line at a series of public meetings to explain the proposals which could see three quarters of the county's care homes close when new Government standards are introduced over the next five years.

But councillors are now looking at ways to keep the residents under the wing of the county council. In a statement Coun Harding said: "I have an urgent meeting with MPs this week to lobby for more money to provide the care the elderly deserve."

At a consultation meeting at Moor Lane Resource Centre, in Preston, on Tuesday, March 12, Lynn and Peter Dickinson spoke out against the proposals along with a further 20 people who attended. Peter said: "I don't think things have been explained properly. The first we heard was February and we're told they're looking at June for the end of the consultation."

And Lynn, whose 90-year-old mother Margaret is in Peterfield Care Home, Penwortham, said: "My mother is incapable of looking after herself. I'd love to have her back home, but my mother couldn't cope." County Councillor Tony Martin, cabinet member for policy, best value and resources, said: "I was disapointed there weren't more people at the meeting. We want to explain to people what our options are."

Over the next two months a series of consultation meetings will take place for members of the public to voice their concerns about the proposals to county council bosses.

Preston families can attend a meeting at Preston Town Hall on March 26, from 6pm, and Ribble Valley residents can go to the Ribble Valley Council Offices, Clitheroe, on May 3, from 2pm. South Ribble residents can join a meeting in the Shield Room, Civic Centre, West Paddock, Leyland, on Thursday, March 21, from 2pm.