PRESTON councillors have teamed up to hit out at county council plans to axe three quarters of the area's homes.

The local councillors put their heads together at a full council meeting on Thursday, February 28, and agreed to condemn the decision which could lead to 35 of the county's 48 care homes closing in a cost cutting exercise.

The council also condemned the county council for allowing a care home, closed four years ago, to fall into disrepair after being left empty ever since -- a problem highlighted by The Citizen last month.

The move comes as the county council throw the plans open to the public for consultation at a series of special meetings next week.

A statement agreed unanimously by councillors at the meeting stated: "This council condemns Lancashire County Council's decision to look into the closure of 35 residential homes for the elderly."

The councillors made the decision after the county council revealed the 35 homes could be sold off to raise enough cash to upgrade the remaining 13 to the Government's new standards.

The statement went on: "Lancashire County Council closed six homes four years ago with the promise that the money saved would be redirected to the remaining homes.

"Two of these homes were in Preston, The Limes in Deepdale and Oakleigh in Central. The Limes building is still lying empty and is being vandalised daily.

"We, as a council, support the campaigners against the closures and their efforts to keep the homes open, thereby protecting the standard of life of those senior citizens involved."

Next week the county council will also be holding a series of public meetings as part of the consultation process.

A local meeting takes place on Tuesday, March 12, from 7pm until 10pm at Moor Lane Resource Centre, Moor Lane, Preston.

County Councillor Chris Cheetham, cabinet member for social services, said: "Our intention is to listen and answer any questions people may have. I urge anyone who has an opinion or valid suggestion to come along to one of the sessions."