BURNLEY Mayor and care home campaigner Councillor Gordon Birtwistle today pledged to organise another march with hundreds of protesters, after Lancashire County Council revealed it will axe 32 homes instead of 35.

Coun Birtwistle said he was pleased Cravenside, Barnoldswick, and Lower Ridge, Burnley, were among three homes given a reprieve in plans announced yesterday.

But he said: "I am pleased, but they haven't really been saved. It will be like a slow death because they just won't put any more residents in them.

"I am going to organise another march and, hopefully, instead of 800 walkers, there will be 2,000."

Pendle Council have also called for an urgent meeting with county councillors to prepare for the battle ahead.

Councillor Azhar Ali said: "We are obviously delighted that Cravenside will remain open and brought up to the new standards. But we are disappointed that the comments made by council on the other homes have not been taken on board.

"We feel lives will be put at risk with the closure of the homes prior to replacement places being made available."

Barbara Watkiss, of Barnoldswick, has been campaigning on behalf of her mother Belle Hopkinson, 94.

She said: "It's brilliant news not just for my mum but the other people too, but I feel sorry for those in the other homes."

George Stevens has lived at Cravenside for more than a year.

He said: "I am 90 and I have to think about other people who want to come to places like this. If it isn't here, don't tell me they will stop in their own homes and be cared for."

Dean Ashley, of the Save Cravenside Action Group, said: "I am quite elated at the fact our campaign has made them think again. But it is still bad for the others."

Ronald Pollard, 69, whose friend Walter Plant, 75, is a resident of Lower Ridge, said: "It is excellent news for the residents of Lower Ridge and the staff there who are all top notch, but I feel sorry for the residents of all the homes that are going to close."

Susan Troughton, founder of the Campaign for the Restoration of Older People's Services and sheltered housing warden in Loveclough, said: "I am very grateful for the homes that are staying open in Pendle and Burnley, but I am disgusted that they are still closing the homes in Rossendale."