PLANS to close four East Lancashire children's homes have been unveiled less than 18 months after two others shut down.

Social Services bosses at Lancashire County Council have begun consulting interested parties on plans to axe their homes in Branacre Road, Longridge, and Blake Gardens in Great Harwood.

Two more in Chorley also face the chop. All will probably close before next April.

Marsden Hall Road Home, Nelson, and Dyke Nook Resource and Reception Centre, Accrington, used for youngsters when they first came into care, were closed last September for 'operational reasons.'

The council said the latest move, like the proposals to shuts 35 of the county's 48 OAP homes, is designed to bring the social services department in line with new government guidelines.

In the same way the government wants more old people cared for at home, it wants more children in local authority care to be looked after by foster parents rather than in homes.

The closures would ultimately saves £1.3million. This money would be spent on refurbishing the remaining 19 children's homes in the county so they could provide a more homely environment for residents, the council said.

Each home is expected to house up to six children, with two members of staff permanently on site.

The money will also help pay for an increase in fees paid to foster parents.

The council wants to increase the number of active foster parents by 100 to 621. Of the 521 currently registered, some 120 aren't offering places at the moment.

Last year, 171 foster parents quit, compared to just 105 recruited.

A report to the county's quality protects panel reveals that it is hoped more advertising, more support and the extra money may make more suitable foster parents come forward. And there are also plans to increase the number of children in county care being adopted.

Last year, Coun Chris Cheetham revealed that the council was working with authorities across the country to set up a national register of children waiting for adoption -- made up primarily of youngsters who have been on the county's books for a long time.

Coun Cheetham said then: "The most important thing is that children have a family environment wherever possible.

"It is much more preferable to have them adopted by a family in, say, Newcastle, and have an out of place accent for a few months than keep them in care here and risk them having many foster parents."

A county hall spokesman said: "We are now beginning to consult with people on these proposals.

"If the closures go ahead, then it will be in the 2002/2003 financial year.

"A further report will be presented to councillors in June."