ERIC Leaver's comments (LET, March 6) that there are signs of nerves on the part of the Lancashire County Council leadership over the proposed plans to shut 35 homes for the elderly does not reassure me.

I have a niggling suspicion that they did not propose to close 35 in the first place, but as a way of 'bowing to public anger' that they will close much fewer -- this being the number they really intended.

In this, seen as a climbdown, the fewer homes will then close without much fuss -- but not without heartbreak again to residents and carers.

I hope my cynicism is misplaced.

KATHLEEN BULCOCK (Mrs), Wilkie Avenue, Burnley.