UNION bosses are claiming that the first in a series of one-day strikes in protest at the treatment of Blackpool care workers was a success.

And they are telling social service chiefs to heed the warnings that members are unhappy at the way they have handled closures and redundancies.

Picket lines were created on February 7 by disgruntled employees outside several of the town's care centres. It was the first in a planned series of strikes throughout February.

"The day has been a great success as far as we're concerned," said UNISON branch secretary Tony Garnsey.

"I know the strikes really bit today and bit them where it matters -- in the administration side of things.

"Both members of the public and some of the other departments within the council gave us their support.

"In fact, at Dunthorpe Court the old people came out in sympathy with us and one of our home helps was told she 'should be out on strike' by one of her clients."

The council workers' union voted to strike two weeks ago because many workers felt the way the council had dealt with redundancies in the wake of the closure of the council-owned care homes was unfair.

Langdale, Whitegate Drive and Beechfield day care centres were all disrupted and the social services reception department was closed completely due to staff shortages.

Mr Garnsey continued: "Our aim isn't to upset the public or leave people without care who need care.

"That is why we have given blanket exemptions to all the staff who work in residential care homes -- because the people in there need 24-hour care.

"I am due to meet Steve Pullan (director of social services) on February 9 and our members want him to make us a sensible offer. If the members accept it they will go back to work."

Executive member for social services Coun Sue Wright said the department had not been too badly affected and that care to individuals had not been disrupted at all.

"The service to the personal social services, home helps and residential care, as far as I am aware, hasn't been disrupted," she said.

"We've done our best, with the co-operation of the union, to make sure that care hasn't been affected.

"Some of the administration staff have not been in work today, but it's not been too bad.

"Talks will go on and meetings will continue, and we hope to reach an agreement in the future.

"Neither side wants this and we understand, and we are doing our best to meet the union and come to an amicable resolution."

The next planned strike is for February 13, then February 22, before a final strike on February 28 when strikers will lobby councillors at the town hall.