COUNCILLORS have vowed to defy county hall bosses and attend a meeting about the closure of a home for the elderly in Hyndburn.

Leading county councillors have asked elected representatives not to attend meetings between social services bosses and residents at Lancashire's county-run residential homes.

Their move came as Conservative MP and former cabinet minister Anne Widdecombe blasted the proposals to shut 35 of Lancashire's 38 homes, 19 of which would be in East Lancashire.

If the closures go ahead, the number of county care home places in East Lancashire would drop from 700 to 242 -- meaning around 450 residents would be placed in private sector homes.

The emphasis in future would be looking after people in their own homes for longer.

Meetings are scheduled to take place at homes across the area this week.

Now councillors -- at both borough and county level -- have been told by Coun Chris Cheetham, who is in charge of social services, that they are not welcome at the meetings, even if they have been invited by residents or their family.

However, councillors in Hyndburn have vowed to defy the order and turn up at Northlands Home, Great Harwood, tomorrow evening.

Coun Anne Scaife, a Rishton councillor, stormed: "I am an elected representative and I have been contacted by families of people living there concerned about what is happening.

"What are they trying to hide?"

Coun June Butler, also a Rishton councillor, said: "We have been asked to go along to provide advice and support. We won't cause trouble. If people want us there then we should be allowed."

Coun Stan Horne, also serving Rishton, said he would be attending as well. Coun Win Frankland, chairman of Great Harwood Area Council, said: "If residents and staff want us there, I will be there as well."

Coun Peter Britcliffe, leader of Hyndburn Council, said: "County has no right to say we can't attend. It is up to the residents. They are trying to take people's homes away and should at least let everyone hear the facts."

Coun Cheetham said: "These are not political meetings, they are a chance for family and those affected to talk to social services about the options and what is happening.

"There will be district liaison forums for people to have their say at a later date. That is the time for councillors, not at these meetings."

Meanwhile, political heavyweight Anne Widdecombe blasted the plans when she visited Hyndburn and Darwen.

The former Tory shadow home secretary said: "When Labour took power, Frank Dobson promised a single budget to cover elderly care, taking in both social services and the health service.

"That has not happened and the result is closures like this.

"I am opposed to this but don't expect the county council to change its mind."