COUNCIL bosses are more than happy for as many people as possible to become involved in the issue, and have urged local people to send in their views.

But they believe that the secret to solving the controversial issue is discussion at a local level -- without the interference of the Prime Minister.

The county council claims it needs £14.5million to fully refurbish the homes and bring them up to government standards which are due to come into force in 2007.

The money saved from the closures will be used to pay for more domiciliary care, enabling residents to stay in their homes for longer and allow for important renovations and repair work.

The plans would affect 19 homes throughout East Lancashire, and residents would either be moved to private homes, or be rehabilitated in their own homes.

Opponents, who feel strongly about the plans, say they are too much, too soon and have been ill thought-out.

Unions fear there will be job losses, while relatives of those affected say they will not cope well with being moved to private homes or being rehabilitated at home.

The council's leading cabinet members have also urged as many local people as possible to get involved in the plans, which they insist are not cast in stone.

"I hope there is another way of doing things so we don't have to make these hard decisions, but we need people to tell us what they are," said council leader Hazel Harding.

And County Coun Chris Cheetham said he believed the issue could be sorted out locally if people were prepared to get together and talk through the options.

Coun Cheetham said: "We want to talk to people, explain what we are aiming for and see what their solutions are.

"Just saying no is not an option.

"We have to change."

"Nothing is final."

He promised that all sides would be consulted on the proposals to axe the homes and focus on providing care at people's own homes.

But should the plans go ahead as laid out -- as previous plans have, despite widespread opposition -- the homes could close as early as July, which is when the final decision will be taken by Lancashire County Council's cabinet.

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