BARNOLDSWICK'S Cravenside Home for the Elderly has been saved from the threat of closure, but others across the county still face an uncertain future.

Pendle MP Gordon Prentice, who has campaigned against plans to close 35 Lancashire County Council care homes, contacted the Craven Herald on its deadline to break the news.

It was released at a behind-closed-doors briefing for Lancashire MPs, county councillors, health care professionals and others yesterday (Thursday).

Mr Prentice was unable to attend, but managed to obtain an outline of the county council's plans, including the reprieve for Cravenside.

Just minutes later, West Craven county councillor David Whipp contacted the Herald having just attended the briefing. He confirmed Cravenside had been reprieved, but the county's commitment to keep running it was limited to the next four years.

The news for the rest of Lancashire is much worse.

Back in February the Labour-run county council unveiled plans to close or sell off 35 of its 48 care homes, saying it could not afford to bring them up to new standards announced by the Government.

Those proposals were put out to public consultation, sparking a huge wave of opposition.

In the meantime, the Government relaxed its position, raising hopes that Lancashire's homes would be reprieved.

The county council's conclusions and decision are due to be officially announced at a meeting next Thursday, August 1.

But Coun Whipp outlined the details after yesterday's briefing. He said of the 35 homes listed for closure, 32 would close as residential care homes on a phased basis.

In relation to half of those, the council would "explore with appropriate partners the provision of alternative services for older people". That could mean selling some to private sector operators or turning them into sheltered housing, but others will undoubtedly close outright.

Just three of the 35 have been reprieved, including Cravenside.

Thirteen of the county's other homes - those not on the "hit list" - will be closed temporarily for refurbishment or rebuilding work and a new home will be built in Preston, meaning the county will operate 17 homes, compared to its current 48.

Coun Whipp said the result was a bad one for the county. He was pleased Cravenside had been reprieved, but still feared for its long-term future.

"I'm not certain it's the best news we could have had," he said. "They could have given a cast iron commitment to Cravenside's future and that's what they should have done."

Labour MP Mr Prentice added: "I'm thrilled to bits at the news about Cravenside, but I'm still deeply concerned at the county's plans for its other homes."

Earlier in the week he urged the county council to review its plans in the light of the latest Government guidance on residential care homes and the standards they should meet.

Health Minister Alan Milburn told MPs the Government planned to increase the number of care home places supported by local councils. He said the Government would soon issue an amended set of standards and that existing homes would not have to meet the latest standards, provided it was made clear to potential residents.

Mr Prentice said he was disappointed the county had not taken the opportunity to reconsider its position.

Coun Whipp added: "Given Alan Milburn's statement the other day, a lot of the rationale for doing this in the first place has now gone out of the window."

The new proposals will be considered by the county council's Cabinet next Thursday and comments invited by August 23.