Ten-year-old Lauren Armstrong has written to Tony Blair to try to save her great-granny's care home from the axe.

The youngster sent a letter to the Prime Minister telling him not to let Bradford Council close threatened Broadstones at Holme Wood.

And she was thrilled to receive a reply from No 10 on the PM's behalf, saying: "He was pleased that you were able to share your concerns with him and will take careful note of what you say."

Lauren's great-grandmother Mary McArdle, who is 90 next month, goes into the home two or three times a year to give her daughter, who looks after her, a much-needed break.

In her letter to Downing Street, Lauren, a pupil at Birkenshaw Middle School, said: "Please keep Broadstones open for my great-granny. She loves it there as much as being at home.

"You can't close Broadstones as most of the people living there need 24-hour care and Broadstones is their permanent home."

She goes on to tell him what a hard life her great-gran has had, losing her husband in the Second World War when he was just 28 and both her parents dying when she was very young.

Broadstones is one of four old folks' homes in Bradford which could be closed. The others are: Woodward Court at Thornton, Greenacres at Clayton and Meadowbank at Bowling.

There has been huge opposition since the proposals were first announced in July. A final decision is due on December 3.

In his reply the PM's aide says her letter will be passed on to the Depart-ment of Health "so they too are aware of your concerns".

Lauren's mum, Ann-Marie, said: "Lauren is very close to her great-gran and although she is ten she comes across as much older. I am proud of what she has done.

"I just hope the people in power are listening. She couldn't believe it when the letter arrived from London addressed to her, and took it to school to show all her friends."

The Council denies the closures are a cost-cutting measure and says it wants to redirect the cash into looking after the elderly in their own homes with back-up support.

Campaigners say the residents would not be in the homes if they did not need to be, and want them to stay open.