WHITEACRES home for elderly men has to close to provide a better overall service Burnley County Councillor Terry Burns told residents and staff.

He went to the home to spell out why he voted in favour of the closure.

Burnley Council will tonight be asked to support the 17 residents who are refusing to accept the decision.

Councillors Harry Brooks and Gordon Birtwistle are also asking Burnley Council to condemn Burnley county councillors for failing to condemn the decision.

County Coun Burns said it was costing tax payers 50 per cent more to look after residents compared to the private sector.

Maintenance of Whiteacres would also cost £150,000 over five years.

Moving the residents to other homes and selling Whiteacres and the other five due for closure in the county would allow more money to be spent on looking after elderly people in their own homes. He said the Whiteacres residents and their families would receive individual counselling.

Those who wanted to stay together could be accommodated in a men only wing of an existing home.

Remarks made about old people being dragged out of the home were absolute rubbish. "That has never happened in the past and will never happen in the future, '' he said.

Whiteacres residents are expected to attend tonight's meeting of Burnley Council.

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