CALLS by local authorities for the closure of 35 Lancashire County Council-run OAP homes to be halted have been rejected.

But there may still be light at the end of the tunnel for some of the threatened homes.

It was revealed that the council had received offers from non-profit making organisations which could take them over.

The unsuccessful bid to have the proposed closures ditched was made in a resolution by the Lancashire Local Government Consultative Committee, which is made up of representatives of all the borough councils in the area.

It put its weight behind the concerns about the closure plan expressed by MPs, relatives, residents and unions, who claim it is being rushed and that there are alternatives.

Lancashire County Council is considering the closure of 35 of its 48 care homes because it would cost £14.5million to carry out the improvements and renovations needed to keep them open.

It wants to shuffle resources into domiciliary and day care, giving people the choice on how they are cared for in old age.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has said he will ensure the Department of Health monitors the way the matter is being handled -- while e-mails opposing the closures have been sent to county hall from across the globe, including South Africa and Canada.

So far, residents of the homes, their families, staff and unions have been consulted before a final decision is taken in July.

Now a series of 'listening meetings' are to be held with the public, while a pledge was given a member of the cabinet would attend all meetings they were requested to.

It has now also been revealed that several offers have already been made for the homes at the centre of the2

closure row, which include 19 in East Lancashire.

Offers to buy some of the homes have been received and were mentioned briefly in a report to the county council cabinet but it did not state whether they would be retained as care homes.

But interest has also been expressed by potential non-profit making organisations such as housing companies, which could secure extra funding to run the homes instead of the council, meaning not all could close.

Coun Chris Cheetham, in charge of social services, said: "The listening meetings are not public meetings, because they always end up as bear gardens.

"They are meant to be a chance for people to have their say, express their concerns and suggest alternatives.

"We have had offers to work in partnership but only at a very localised level. We are looking at those offers."

Council leader Coun Hazel Harding said: "There is no point stopping the consultation. It is not a solution. We want people to tell us what we can do given the constraints we have.

"I will listen to people just saying no to the closures, but we need alternatives.

"The resolution put to the committee by the Lancashire Local Government Consultative Committee stated that all of Lancashire's district councils wanted the plans halted.

"Every other possible source such as partnerships with district councils, health authorities, voluntary and private sector organisations any any other institutions that may be interested in an attempt to avoid mass closure."

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