THE future of care provision for the elderly in Lancashire has moved closer with the opening of a sheltered accommodation scheme - but the project met with anger from protesters against care home closures.

The Extra Care Sheltered Housing Scheme has been launched with funding from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) and provides four flats.

The funding has also paid for two support staff - one social worker and one district nurse - who will provide round-the-clock support.

It follows the government's overhaul of public sector care provision and is part of the county council's move away from traditional residential care homes towards domiciliary care in the home or in very sheltered accommodation.

The announcement last year that the county council was to axe two-thirds of its homes was met with outrage from families who campaigned for months to prevent the closures.

Their fight ended at the High Court in March with an 11th-hour deal to prolong the closures until GPs had conducted risk assessments.

The new scheme, based at Hynd Brook House, Dale Street, Accrington, is one of a series of similar schemes set to open around the county - there are already schemes operating in Lancashire, including one in Burnley - which the council says will give residents independence.

NRF funds have also paid for a computer with internet access for the residents, and equipment to aid independence including fall detectors.

The scheme is a joint partnership between Lancashire Social Services, Hyndburn Council, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care Trust, Eaves Brook Homes - part of the Harvest Housing Group - and others.

Campaigner and World War Two veteran Norman Hickey, 83, whose wife Phoebe, a resident of Northlands Nursing Home, Great Harwood, died last month, said: "Four or five flats is not going to make much difference.

"They must be people who can look after themselves, that's the difference, not people who are in a wheelchair staring into space. We need places for people who are dependent on 24-hour care."

Eunice Taylor, operating unit manager at Harvest Housing Group, said: "This event sees the launch of a very important service for older people in Hyndburn by providing a new housing option for those who need care and support."

"The aim of the scheme is to enable older people to retain control over their lives."