RESIDENTS at a closure-threatened home for the elderly are threatening a defiant last stand by barricading themselves in, it was revealed today.

The move by old folk at Whiteacres in Burnley could be made if councillors go ahead with controversial plans to close their home.

The Social Services Committee has voted to close Whiteacres and other homes in Lancashire, but the decision still has to be ratified by the full council.

A meeting in the home last night was attended by almost all the residents and many supporters.

They also heard that Unison staff representative Joe Dicioccio had quit the Labour Party in disgust over the closure issue.

The lifelong party supporter and vice president of the union in Lancashire said: "I fully support the residents in holding out.

"Even if it means barricading themselves in, it is right because the Labour county council's policy is wrong."

The residents, many of them old soldiers in their 70s and 80s, voted to send a letter to Social Services Director Pauline Oliver telling her they will not co-operate in any way and will refuse to leave.

Local councillor Harry Brooks, who was asked to send the letter, said: "It is genuinley a decision of the residents.

"We told them that the odds are very much against them, but they wanted to continue the campaign to keep the home open.

"What they are clearly saying they are staying put. The logic is they will have to be allowed to stay or social services will have to move them.''

Coun Brooks has described the closure decision as barbaric.

The letter says: "The residents will not co-operate in any way with your intention to close Whiteacres and will refuse to leave what they regard as their rightful home.

"The staff in attendance at the meeting agreed that so long as any of the elderly residents remain at Whiteacres they will continue to provide a service for them.''

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