A PENSIONERS' campaigner has launched a petition against Lancashire County Council plans to close 35 old people's homes.

Susan Troughton, founder of the Campaign for the Restoration of Older People's Services, plans to march on County Hall in Preston to make sure councillors realise the strength of local feeling against the proposal, currently out for consultation.

Thirteen of the homes threatened with closure are in the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale area. Susan, a warden in a sheltered housing scheme in Loveclough, said: "I have been asked to start a petition against the proposed closure and have copies ready to be sent to anyone who wants to collect names.

"Ideally I would like people to ring or write to me and include a stamp so I can send them a copy of the petition and they can fill it in. We want as many names as possible so we can let the county council know the true strength of opposition to what is proposed."

Lancashire County Council bosses have unveiled plans to close 35 of Lancashire's 48 homes and redevelop the remaining 13 at a cost of between £5million and £10million to meet new home standards.

The cost of the refits will be met by the sale of the closed homes as to refurbished them all would have cost £14.5million.

Susan, who set up the group four years ago in protest at the withdrawal of the home help service, has already written to County Hall to ask for a meeting with social services bosses to put the views across.

She is hoping to mobilise pensioners who want to make the journey to Preston.

Anyone who wants a copy of the petition can write to Susan Troughton, 46, Goodshaw Avenue, Loveclough, Rossendale, or phone 01706 215356.