OLD soldiers marched on a Burnley council meeting in a battle to save their home.

But they retreated angry and upset when councillors failed to give outright backing to the campaign against the closure of Whiteacres residential home.

Whiteacres, on Lansdowne Close, Burnley, is one of six homes threatened with closure by Lancashire County Council.

Its 17 residents, relatives and staff waving placards took to the streets to march on Burnley Council general purposes committee which was moved to a larger room to accommodate the 60 protesters.

Several councillors said the committee should oppose the closure and they were greeted with cheers and applause from the marchers.

Coun Gordon Birtwistle handed in a petition with 2,700 names and moved: "This council express to Lancashire County Council Social Services its total and utter opposition to the proposed closure of Whiteacres home for the elderly.

"Secondly, officers of this council be instructed to convene a meeting with the director of social services and this committee to demand that the future of Whiteacres be secured." Although Coun Birtwistle's motion received widespread support it was successfully amended by Coun Peter Kenyon. His version, which Coun Mozaquir Ali described as "wishy washy", said: "We express to the county council our belief that there are reasonable grounds for the continued use of Whiteacres and that we seek that the LCC working group should recommend to council social services deferal of any decision on the home until further consultation takes place with this council, residents and staff."

When Coun Kenyon's amendment was agreed by vote there were cries of "no", boos and shouts from the gallery. The meeting was adjourned for five minutes to allow the protesters to leave.

Whiteacres is the only male-only home in Lancashire, the residents, many of whom had fought in the Second World War, claimed they had been forced to fight another war just to keep their home.

Public consultation on the homes ends on August 21.

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