THE first of 32 care homes to be axed by Lancashire County Council could close within four months, council bosses warned today.

Social services boss Chris Cheetham pledged no one currently in a county home would be forced out -- but a report presented to councillors yesterday warned residents could expect to move at least twice as part of the shake up.

Mr Cheetham also promised residents would remain in a home within their borough.

County Hall chiefs announced a revised plans for care for the elderly, following six months of consultation yesterday.

The authority yesterday revealed it intends to axe 32 of 48 homes -- 16 of which may be passed to partner organisations -- and keep 16. Two of the homes to win a reprieve are in East Lancashire. The surviving homes will be refurbished and in some cases extended, while a brand new home is being built in Preston.

The new plan may end up costing council bosses more than the £14.5million bill they were originally presented with for refurbishing all 48 homes.

The county could be hit with a £10.4million bill refurbishment and redevelopment part of their new scheme if they fail to sell the properties which are being closed. At best, it will cost them £5.2million.

A further £4.75million will be paid out in redundancy packages to the 476 workers who will be axed and the council's pension fund will be hit to the tune of £2.5million.

The money saved by no longer running 32 homes will be used to increase domiciliary services, allowing more people to be cared for at home. The remaining 16 care homes will focus on respite and rehabilitation care and providing spaces for people with dementia. The private sector will also be expected adapt.

The announcement has angered MPs, councillors and campaigners.

Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle said: "I am very disappointed because these plans do not reflect what the public have been saying.

"The idea is to provide more day care facilities, but there is not yet any indication of where that care will come from. There are a lot of questions answered."

Lib Dem leader on Lancashire County Council David Whipp, added: "What we have here is a fudge. Yes, two homes in East Lancashire have been saved, but only for four years. What happens then? This is hardly what people want."

Conservative leader Robert Hodge added: "The council still haven't said where all this extra day care support is going to come from. It is being rushed through to catch up with other councils to make up for slowness in the past."

But Labour councillor Dorothy Westell, the authority's champion for old people, said: "This is all about giving people a choice. Rather than telling them they have to go in a home, which is what has happened, we will be able to let them decide how they want to be cared for."

Burnley county councillor Marcus Johnston, added: "In the circumstances, this is the best deal available."

Coun Cheetham said: "We need to change the services we provide to suit what people want. We have listened to what has been said and this is reflected in the fact three homes are staying open, a new one being built in Preston and the one in South Ribble which is staying open has changed.

"We cannot guarantee that these plans will not end up costing the taxpayer, but we are responding to what people have asked.

"The advantage of the original proposal was that it was cost neutral."