COUNTY council bosses came under fire as concerned residents, staff, and pensioners demanded that proposals to close 35 of the county's 48 OAP care homes be scrapped.

And a council leader warned the feeling against the controversial closures was on the same level as the introduction of poll tax in the 1980s.

Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe called an emergency meeting at the Eagle Street council offices to discuss the future of care homes in Hyndburn.

But as the main committee room filled to capacity, many people had to be turned away without a chance to speak.

Joe Slater, social services spokesman for Lancashire County Council, told the crowd that it had a vision for the future which involved providing for more old people to live independently in their own homes.

And he denied that proposals to close council run care homes was simply a way of saving money.

Under the new plans, some residents would be moved into private care homes and many more would be treated in their own homes.

He added: "There is nothing to say that this is definite. What we are looking to do is reduce 48 homes to 13, which means going from 1,543 beds to 572, but we are asking if there should be more or less."

The consultation process involving talks with local authorities, care homes staff and residents, as well as all other parties with an interest in the future of care homes, will continue until June 15. Following a cabinet meeting the results will be published and further consultations will then be held before the new service is fully enacted in 2004.

But Coun Britcliffe called for the whole scheme to be stopped until all other options had been examined.

He said: "I think it has been a terrifying experience for old people in homes. There has to be some sensitivity for these people or it could literally kill some of them.

"I have been in politics for a long time and the only issue I can recall that has raised so much pain, anger and fear is the poll tax What I will pledge is that we will work at every end to try and solve this problem and come to something that will be satisfactory to everyone

"The cabinet recommends that LCC halts the present consultations and withdraws the proposals to close care homes in Lancashire.

"We wish them to examine every other possible service in an attempt to avoid the mass closures. Let us end this dreadful consultation which is causing so much misery and anguish. We all need to stand up and be counted and forget about politics."

Coun John Griffiths, ward councillor for Baxenden, opened a question and answer session at the meeting as he raised concerns about Hill Top, one of four care homes in the borough earmarked for closure.

Only woodlands, Clayton-le-Moors, is planned to remain open with Peel Court, in Oswaldtwistle, Northlands, Great Harwood, Acorn Lodge, Accrington, and Hill Top to close.

He said: "Lancashire County Council seems to be talking about value for money, which means putting it before compassion and treating people as numbers.

"These people haven't got their own homes to go to any more and we don't have any private homes in that area for them to go to.

"About half of the people in Hill Top are from that area and to move a lot of bewildered people out of the area in which they have spent their whole lives would be heartless.

"We would not just be closing a home but destroying the lives of these residents and destroying a community."

But Leader Of Lancashire County Council County CounHazel Harding stressed that no final decisions have been made and that the Council would take on board all concerns and issues raised during the consultation period.

She said: "I am committed to giving people who want to stay in their own homes the support they need to do so.

"And obviously we are committed that people in residential care homes will not be thrown out on the streets and their views will be taken into consideration if their homes are closed.

"I cannot give any more promises because we have not taken any decisions. But we want to provide for people in their old age and as they are getting older.

"This is about people not buildings. People will get care whatever happens to the buildings they currently get it from.

"And I promise they will get a standard of care of which we can all be proud."