THE future is still hanging in the balance for elderly residents of three care homes on the Fylde Coast that are currently facing the very real threat of closure.

Since the release of the controversial consultation on the future of residential and day care services for the elderly in Lancashire two weeks ago, residents and their relatives are still no nearer knowing what the future holds -- despite holding private meetings and persistent pleas to local councillors and MPs to come and speak to them in person.

The absence of such visitors to Worsley House in Fleetwood and Poulton's Queensway Lodge has merely served to give residents even less hope of a settled future.

This is despite a private meeting having taken place for the relatives and residents of Worsley House earlier this week in an attempt to allay their growing fears.

Worsley House resident Leonard Hall, 64, said: "I have written a letter to County Coun Chris Cheetham myself and I haven't even been sent a reply, let alone a visit.

"Myself and other residents feel very disappointed and upset that no councillors have been to visit us.

"I know that other residents have also contacted our local MP inviting her to come and talk to us but she hasn't been. I think that they are all a complete wash-out and we all feel that they aren't in the slightest bit interested in what happens to us -- it is as though they are giving us the cold shoulder.

"We have got plenty of public support behind us with hundreds of signatures on petitions and merely want a chance to tell the councillors in person what the care homes mean to us."

Joan Elvidge, 65, who is also a Worsley resident and suffers from epilepsy, said: "On the whole we weren't told anything new at the meeting. I am also very disappointed that no local councillors have been to see us yet."

Blackpool North MP Joan Humble said: "I haven't yet received a copy of the consultation documents and have requested them. I have been contacted by several residents of Worsley House who are very concerned and fearful about their future and I am planning to visit them after I have spoken with county council leader Hazel Harding. I shall also be visiting Thornton House, where there are planned extensions.

"I have visited Worsley House several times in the past and have always been very impressed by the standard of care there."

Following a meeting with the chair of Lancashire Social Services, County Coun Chris Cheetham, Hilton Dawson, MP for Lancaster and Wyre, backed the proposals.

He said: "There is absolutely no way that I would support any plan to reduce services to vulnerable elderly people. However, I am completely in favour of change designed to benefit them.

"Change is very difficult. I am pleased to have received re-assurance that every consideration will be given to the needs of elderly people who have to move from their residential homes as a result of this policy.

"Meeting the needs of people is far more important than hanging on to buildings which have served people well in the past but which will drain resources from funds needed for improvements if we don't accept the need for change."

County Coun Cheetham said: "We are only one of the organisations that provides care and we want to hear from others about what they see as the future. One way forward that we are looking at is the provision of sheltered housing about which we have been talking to district councils.

"We believe that by pooling our expertise -- theirs in housing and building management and ours in care -- we can provide quality accommodation which will enable older people to retain their independence in a safe, caring environment.

"I want people to realise that the consultation process is only just starting. We have a long way to go before we will be in a position to make decisions."