EAST Lancashire MPs Nigel Evans and Peter Pike today pledged to join the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's march in protest at plans to close 35 care homes.

And Ribble Valley MP Mr Evans said he would address the crowd outlining why he feels the plans should not go ahead.

Burnley MP Peter Pike will be present at the start of the march.

The march is being organised by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph and Burnley mayor-elect Gordon Birtwistle, and has the backing of East Lancashire MPs and politicians.

It is in protest at Lancashire County Council's plans to close 35 of its 48 pensioners' homes -- 19 of which are in East Lancashire.

After winding through Burnley this Saturday, the march will end at the town centre bandstand where Coun Birtwistle will thank the walkers for their support before Mr Evans addresses the crowd.

The petition is on top of more than 2,000 complaints lodged by Evening Telegraph readers, who returned coupons of objection to our Blackburn offices. Pendle MP Gordon Prentice said he believed the plans will eventually be thrown out and that the county council was 'utterly wrong'.

MP Nigel Evans said today he was 100 per cent behind the weekend's march.

Mr Evans said: "It's about time that the county council started serving the people rather than scaring them."

Peter Pike said: "I think the county council needs to consider the many objections."

The march starts at the Bank Hall car park, off Queen Victoria Road, at 10.30am.

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said he would not be at the march but also pledged his support.

He said: "I reiterate my hope that the county council will think again about its 'hit-list'."

Give us your views NOW...click here.