SUPPORTERS of the fight to keep Lancashire's care homes open were travelling to London today to take their campaign to the House of Commons.

Labour MPs from Lancashire and executive members of the Lancashire Care Association were meeting to discuss the future of elderly care in the county, in light of the county council's proposals to close 35 of its 48 care homes.

Nineteen of those affected are in East Lancashire and the move has met with widespread protest.

They called the urgent meeting to discuss the decision, which they say will reduce the number of places in both council and private homes from 1,800 a year to 600 in the county.

A delegation from Lancashire Care Association (LCA) has already met Health Secretary Jacqui Smith, who has pledged that her department will monitor the situation.

The Minister stressed the need for a public-private partnership in providing quality care for the elderly and vulnerable members of society and promised that social services officials would look into the matter as a matter of urgency.

Chairman of the LCA, Frank Hessey, said: "We are looking forward to our meeting with the Labour group of MPs and hope they will take aboard the concerns of the private sector and the families of those we care for.

"We want to emphasise the long term damage that will be inflicted on Lancashire's ability to care for its ageing population if the council's strategy is implemented.

"The Government's health care strategies underline the need for partnership and the valuable role of the private sector.

"Apart from the high-quality residential care provided by both council and private homes, the industry employs some 15,000 people in Lancashire and is a major contributor to the county's economy.

Earlier last week Prime Minister Tony Blair faced questions in parliament after Fylde MP Michael Jack raised the issue.

Members of the Lancashire Local Government Consultative Committee, which is made up of representatives of all the borough councils in the area, put forward a resolution to have the proposed closures ditched, but it was rejected by the council.

Residents of the homes, their families, staff and unions have been consulted before a final decision is taken in July.

A series of "listening meetings" is also to be held with the public, which will be attended by a cabinet member from the council.

The council says it would cost £14.5 million to bring the homes up to new Government standards.

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