A COUNCIL consultation exercise on the proposed closure of two homes for the elderly in Blackburn has been branded a 'sham' by campaigners battling to keep them open.

Social Services chiefs have recommended that Shadsworth House in Dunoon Drive and the Laneside home, Shorrock Lane, be closed. Councillors will make a final decision tomorrow..

The proposals were originally announced in November and the council then embarked on a three month consultation exercise to find out the views of people in the borough.

But campaigners say many of the points they made have been omitted from the final report.

Campaign group leader Marjorie McCarthy, said: "There were minutes taken from two meetings with the council which have not appeared.

"There were in fact five reasons given for the choice of Shadsworth House as one of the homes to close.

"We gave five comprehensive responses to each of those reasons, proving them wrong. But that too has been left out of the final document. "As far as we in Shadsworth are concerned the whole thing has been a whitewash and we still believe there is a better case for closing one of the other homes in Blackburn or Darwen."

"Nobody seems to want to take any notice of what we have had to say."

The two homes are to be closed as part of a wider review of council services for elderly people in the borough.

Chairman of the Social Services committee, Coun Sue Reid, rejected claims that the consultation period had been a sham.

She added: "Both elected members and officers of the social services department have done everything possible to consult with Mrs McCarthy, the Shadsworth Action Group and others. We are keen to have their views and have nothing to hide.

"Mrs McCarthy has been told that if she has any outstanding issues to make me aware of them and they will be discussed at the committee meeting."

The Social Services committee meets at 7pm tomorrow in the town hall.

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