UNISON has today thrown its weight behind the Lancashire Evening Telegraph march against the closure of 35 old folk's homes.

Hundreds of people are expected to take part in the march this Saturday, organised by ourselves and Burnley mayor-elect Gordon Birtwistle, in protest at the Lancashire County Council proposals.

Nineteen homes will be closed in East Lancashire in a move that has caused anger throughout the county.

The march starts at the Bank Hall car park, off Queen Victoria Road, Burnley, at 10.30am. From there walkers will head down Belvedere Road, turn right into Yorkshire Street before eventually arriving at the town centre bandstand. It is expected to take 30 minutes.

Residents from threatened care homes, their relatives and supporters of the campaign to halt the closures are all expected to attend.

And Carole Lukey, secretary of Unison, the bopdy that represents care workers at Lancashire County Council pledged its support today.

She said: "There are several marches taking place over the coming weeks and they are all important. I know many carers will be out in force to show that the homes must stay open. This rally has the full support of our union."

Care workers fear for their future following the announcement and held a meeting with county hall leaders last week.

A petition containing thousands of signatures will be handed over to either Lancashire County Council leader Hazel Harding or the man in charge of social services, Coun Chris Cheetham, at the end of the march.

MPs, campaigner for OAPs and agony aunt Claire Rayner and the Bishop of Blackburn the Right Rev Alan Chesters have all hit out at the proposals, which aim to save £14.5million needed to bring the homes up to government standards.

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