THE fate of two elderly people's homes was surely determined many months ago when it was decided to run them down months ago after they were earmarked to become community care centres.

Now, as expected social services chiefs have given the go-ahead for Stocks Park, Horwich and Lever Edge House, Great Lever to close. Councillors took the decision reluctantly and were constrained to do so because of Government cash control.

But it is a sad time for Bolton. Our elderly people are the victims of a tough market economy.

That will be cold comfort over the coming weeks when their lives are disrupted and they are moved out of their homes. The only consoling factor is that sympathetic care assistants, whose own futures are equally uncertain, will make it as easy as possible for them.

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