PROTESTERS arguing for Lancashire's care homes to be saved from closure have already taken their pleas for help to some of the highest levels, urging politicians from all sides to become involved.

This week saw the plans move to an even higher level, with Prime Minister Tony Blair pledging that the Government would be kept informed of developments in the row.

The plans have already seen protesters, including unions, residents and their families, and opposing councillors, join forces to fight the plans proposed by Lancashire County Council.

They have asked all politicians to get involved in the row, which ultimately would mean Mr Blair himself.

Mr Blair promised that the Government would be kept informed of developments, when the issue was raised in Prime Minister's Question Time.

Fylde Tory Michael Jack -- one of the MPs who spoke in a recent debate called by Pendle Labour back bencher Gordon Prentice on the controversy -- raised the issue.

He said: "May I ask the Prime Minister on behalf of the vulnerable elderly in Lancashire if he can persuade the Department of Health to discuss this matter with Lancashire County Council with a view to withdrawing this proposal?

"All Lancashire's Conservative and Labour MPs opposed the proposal, which will do nothing for their quality of life of elderly people in the county and prevent a threat to their homes."

But Mr Blair, although promising that the Government would be kept informed, stopped short of saying that he would himself become involved.

He said: "I understand that Ministers in the department have asked to be kept fully informed of the situation and they will no doubt discuss it with the county council.

"However, I have to say to you that, as you will know, under this government spending on social services has increased by about 20 per cent.

Of course, throughout the country, councils are considering how best to care for elderly people.

"As a result of the extra investment that we will be putting in in the next three years, we will have an additional 1.4 billion going into care for the elderly.

"However, as I said, in respect of these particular plans, the department will be in touch with the county council."

Mr Blair's remarks underlined the promise given to Mr Prentice by Social Care Minister Jacqui Smith that the department would closely monitor the proposals at the end of his special debate last week.

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