CAMPAIGNERS are calling on the people of Lancashire to join them on a march in Preston to save the county's threatened care homes.

Proposals put forward by the county council's social services department could see 35 of the 48 council-run residential care homes close to save money. The cash left over would then be used to bring the remaining 13 homes up to new Government standards.

Seven of the threatened homes are in Preston and South Ribble.

Now the North West Pensioners Association has organised a march in protest at the plans, to take place from noon on Friday, May 24.

Eric Tattersall, committee member of the Association, said: "The Pensioners Association covers the whole of Lancashire. We are hoping people will come from further afield than just Preston to join us. It's a matter of getting everybody in the area into one group in Preston."

Before the decision is made in June, The Citizen is helping readers get their questions on the proposals answered by the man in charge, county councillor Chris Cheetham.

This week's question comes from Mrs K Pilkington of Walton Park, Preston, who wants to know: "Who decided what homes could close under the proposals and for what reason?"

Coun Cheetham replied: "Cabinet members decided to consult on the proposals outlined in the consultation document following detailed work by officers who assessed the ability of individual establishments within each district to be remodelled and adapted to meet the new standards and care for those people with significant levels of need including people with dementia. We also took into account future viability in terms of the size of the home, its popularity indicated by occupancy levels in the recent past and its location within the district.

"The costs of the rebuilding work and the prospective site values were additional factors which influenced the proposal as we need to ensure that sales generate enough money to fund refurbishment. The final factor is the availability of private sector homes.

"Even if the physical standards were met in a number of small homes and adapted properties, they would not be viable because of their small size and increased staffing needs under the national care standards.

"The aim of the preferred option is to retain not for profit service provision for older people in each district of Lancashire."

To put your question to Coun Cheetham, fill in the coupon above and send it to Ben Hewes, Preston and Leyland Citizen, 3 Winckley Court, Winckley Square, Preston, PR1 3JJ.

Give us your views NOW...click here.