TWO homes for the elderly in Blackburn which were controversially closed earlier this year have been put on stand-by to house Kosovar refugees.

Shadsworth House in Dunoon Drive and the former Laneside home in Shorrock Lane were both emptied and closed by social services chiefs earlier this year.

Since then both homes have remained empty, but Blackburn with Darwen Council confirmed today that the homes are two of several buildings in the borough under consideration for use if the Government asks the authority to house the victims of war.

The first batch of Kosovar refugees arrived in the North West at Manchester Airport last night and the only confirmed destinations so far are Oldham and Trafford.

A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Council said: "Authorities across the North West including Blackburn with Darwen have been put on stand by in case they are asked to provide temporary accommodation for refugees.

"As part of this plan the council is looking at various options for accommodating some refugees on a temporary basis in reception centres before moving them into slightly longer term accommodation. This may well mean using empty facilities at Shadsworth and Laneside which seem to meet the refugee council's criteria. However this would only be a temporary measure as it remains the government's intention to secure their safe return to Kosovo when the conflict is over." Marjorie McCarthy, leader of the campaign group which fought against the decision to close the Shadsworth House home, said she had no objections to the use of the building for refugees.

She said: "It is a worthwhile cause and I have no complaints. But we do still want to know what the council plan to do with the buildings in the long term."

Lancashire County Council has confirmed that it also has plans to accommodate refugees, but has not yet had any request.

Calderstones Hospital in Whalley is also on stand-by after health chiefs earmarked it as a possible destination for Kosovars.

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