PROTESTERS against care homes closures vowed they would continue their fight despite the county council's decision.

The vice-chairman of the Lancashire Action Committee, Bob Trafford, said county council leader Hazel Harding "should resign immediately".

He said: "I'm not angry because we expected it would go this way today. I can promise them that we won't give up and I can see this going all the way to the High Court.

"This decision is just the latest from this council which continues to ruin services for elderly people in the county.

"It will result in death because these elderly people will die if they are moved at their stage in life."

County Coun Harding said: "What we are proposing will make our service right for people in the future. It will give people a choice of how they are cared for."

Solicitor Yvonne Hossack, who represents the residents, said the council would be given seven days to rescind its decision and then legal proceedings would begin. She said they would be asking for a judicial review as the decision breached three articles of the Human Rights Act.

Hyndburn Action Committee chairman Lynne Atkinson said: "It went the way we expected it to be honest but are not giving up yet. There was a three-line whip in place out there today but we're going to carry on with the legal action.

"We're trying to raise £50,000 for the legal challenge and we will be putting all our efforts into that now."

She said it was important they carried on for people like Second World War hero Norman Hickey, 84, whose wife Phoebe is in Northlands home, Great Harwood. He tabled tabled a letter to all members of the council before the meeting saying: "I see my dear wife of 55 years, Phoebe, every day. Every day I cry and I am not ashamed to put it in this letter."

During the debate social services cabinet member Chris Cheetham made reference to Mr Hickey, saying he had written to him to assure him that if his wife was moved she would not be moved out of the area.

After the meeting Mr Hickey said: "It's awful. It's all very well saying she won't be moved out of the area but they haven't said where she'll be moving to. I'll be going to see Phoebe tonight and I just don't know what to say to her."

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: "I am absolutely appalled. They have ignored the views of residents, families, those who work in the homes and those of the government minister who announced a good policy during the consultation.

"They have been clearly hell-bent on closing the homes from the start. There has been no common sense or compassion. They simply want to cut back on care homes to save money and no doubt waste it somewhere else on waste projects.

"Sadly it is elderly residents who will pay the price now but the councillors responsible will pay the price at future elections.

"I shall by contacting Health Secretary Alan Milburn asking him to intervene directly.

"I am not sure what powers he has but at least we will get his comments. If he can act, he must."

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said: "I am disappointed but not surprised. They have got this wrong. They drew up a hitlist and wouldn't listen and withdraw it."

But he rejected claims that Mr Milburn should intervene, saying: "He doesn't have the powers to do so. Central Government should not over ride decisions made by directly-elected assemblies like LCC."

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