PLANS to shut down two Preston children's homes and one in South Ribble have caused concern for a former Lancashire County Council youth worker who believes a blanket approach is not the right option.

Retired youth worker Jim Green, from Leyland, believes children should be given more than one option when it comes to local authority care.

It comes as LCC reveal plans to close six children's homes across Lancashire including Marl Hill Crescent and Garth House in Ribbleton and Barnacre Road in Longridge.

Mr Green, who has more than 30 years' experience as a youth worker, said: "Social workers do their best for these children. No one remedy suits everybody - children's homes suit some and foster homes suit others."

If the county council's plan gets the green light children in the doomed homes will be fostered in the community and short term and emergency placements are being considered. Under the new plan Garth House, in Sandycroft, would be maintained for a short time as an emergency unit providing eight beds for youngsters.

But a shortage of foster carers has sparked concern among county council bosses and a recruitment drive is under way as part of their Children and Families Strategy plan.

Mr Green, who still organises summer playschemes in Leyland, Chorley and Preston, said: "It is very important that people offer to foster, it is a long process but for the sake of children it is worthwhile."

However, Ribbleton councillor, Pat Woods, believes the county council's plan could put children at risk.

The Labour councillor said: "I do feel this is a bad move. We have very little fostering and we do not want to put vulnerable children at risk.

"There is a need for places like Garth House to teach children social skills before they live their lives, it keeps them on the straight and narrow."