A DELEGATION of worried businessmen and women have held crisis talks with a government minister over the financial plight affecting homes for the elderly in Lancashire.

In recent months, homes for the elderly in Blackburn and Rossendale have been forced to close after falling victim to money problems.

Elderly people living at St Emmanuel's in Wilson Street, Blackburn, and Rowell Grange in Waterfoot have had to move because of the closures.

Three other homes in East Lancashire are also under threat after the company which owns them went into receivership.

Heywood-based Westwood Care used to run The Fountains Nursing Home in Blackburn, Hulton Care Nursing Home in Nelson and Roselands in Rawtenstall. Lancashire Care Association claim many of the problems are being created by a lack of funding from central government.

This year, the government announced homes could increase their fees by 1.4 per cent but owners say their costs have soared in the last 12 months by anything up to 12 per cent.

The association represents about 450 homes in Lancashire and is one of the largest branches in the country.

A four-person delegation which included representatives from the organisation travelled to London to meet junior Health Minister John Hutton.

According to the delegates, the minister admitted there was a problem with funding and extra money should be on its way this spring.

Ken Nolan, a spokesman for the group, said: "We had a very fair and frank exchange and it is clear the minister wishes to see a vibrant independent sector with top quality care homes.

"It was pleasing that he recognises and wishes to address the difficulties within the sector.

"The test will be whether his messages now become implemented at local level."

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