THREE care homes owned by Blackburn with Darwen Council have been put up for sale for a total of £3.6million.

Bosses said the 80 elderly residents would not initially be be affected by the sell off, but that they could not guarantee the properties would stay care homes 'forever'.

Older people's groups said they were 'very concerned' by the 'retrograde step'.

In a separate move, councillors are set to give the green light on Thursday to the handover of the council's home care and supported living services to the independent sector.

The sell-off is part of a major shakeup of the adult social care department as it looks to reduce debts of £5million. The council claims the changes could save an initial £1million over three years.

Blakewater Lodge, Swallow Drive, Lark Hill, Brookside Home for the Elderly, Pearl Street, Roe Lee, and Feniscliffe Bank Home for the Elderly, Hillcrest Road, Cherry Tree, have been put on the market for a total of £3.6million through specialist healthcare consultants Pinkertons.

Of the 35 care homes in the borough, five are council-run. The council intends to keep hold of the other two - which provide respite services to give a break to carers and temporary care for patients leaving hospital.

Carole Shaw, the council's assistant director of business support, said Pinkertons would guarantee only bids from serious care providers with a strong track record would be considered.

A clause in the contract of sale will state the buildings have to be used as care homes for a minimum period, for example five years, she said.

She added: "We can't say forever, but we can do our utmost."

And adult social care director Stephen Sloss added: "We certainly wouldn't want to consider someone who would purchase a home and turn it into a hotel the next day."

But Brian Todd, of Blackburn with Darwen's Older People's Forum, said: "All care homes will be in private control, and the council will have absolutely no say in their direct running.

"It's wonderful if you get a good provider, but it's a capitalist world and the vast majority are interested in one thing, profit. I think it's a retrograde step."

Unions expressed concern over staff terms and conditions when the plans were first announced in September.

But Ms Shaw said: "We have had an awful lot of meetings with staff, and I have been very encouraged by the attitude of people wanting to take over the services.

"They do not intend to reduce wages."

On the home care move, 70 per cent of such services in the borough are already independently-run.

On Thursday evening the council's executive board will be asked to approve two bids from independent providers - whose identity is being kept secret - to take over the remainder of home care and the supported living service.

Council bosses said adult social care needed to be revamped because people were living longer, placing extra strain on budgets.