Bradford Council's social services department is likely to be £4 million in the red by March - despite efforts to get on track.

The news the department is struggling to get the books sorted comes as the Council consults with the public on the possible closure of three old folk's homes. The idea is to increase day-centre places and put more funds into caring for old people in the community.

But a major campaign has been mounted against the proposals and 90-year-old Thora Falkingham has gone on hunger strike to try to stop the closure of Meadowcroft, Bowling, where she lives.

She is being cared for in a special medical unit after refusing food and drink.

But in a report to today's meeting of the Council's executive committee director of finance Steve Morris said increased demand for places in old folk's homes and nursing homes, as well as more youngsters coming into the care of the local authority, were stretching the budget. He also warned members other services could suffer next year unless steps were taken to contain it.

Alison O'Sullivan, director of social services, reported to the executive committee seven months ago that the department was facing a £3 million overspend and a three -year plan was brought in to try to get the spiralling problems under control.

But last month she told the executive that the department was heading for a £4 million deficit at the Council's year end next March.

Today the committee was told there was still a predicted deficit of £3.962 million but it included £283,000 for the Council workers' increased pay award Now a revised action plan will be drawn up in a bid to stem the overspends.

Mr Morris said good progress had been made in placing children in foster homes, however.

He told members all other departments were expected to balance the books, and low interest rates meant borrowing by the authority would only cost £1 million - in spite of the estimated £1.2 million.

Councillor Kris Hopkins, executive committee for the community whose responsibilities include social services, said: "Every effort is being made to reduce the level of social services spending within the context of continuing service pressures across the district.

"The three-year plan is giving a fresh approach to delivering important services to people in the district and real progress is being made in key areas including the recruitment of new foster carers. But we still need new recruits."