A CAMPAIGNER trying to force a council debate about the future of care homes in the borough has been dealt a blow in her fight.

Christina Taylor, whose hus- band Ken is a resident at Wilfred Geere Care Home in Farnworth, has collected 4,700 signatures to trigger an official debate — simi- lar to the one held last month about the future of libraries.

But the council says usually only people who live, work or study in Bolton can be counted towards the 4,000 needed — although it will accept signatures from people outside the borough who have family in authority-run care homes.

Yesterday Mrs Taylor was in Victoria Square canvassing for more signatures after being told the news, fearing she will now fall short of the amount needed to force a council debate.

She launched her campaign after Bolton Council announced a review to see if Wilfred Geere Care Home and Laburnum Lodge, in Breightmet, offer value for money.

Director of Adult Services, John Rutherford, has given a “cast iron” guarantee that resi- dents can continue to live in the homes for as long as they want.

But Mrs Taylor said people did not believe the council. She said: “There is a lot of public feeling about this, people are coming up to us to sign the petitions because they are angry about this.

“I have now been told some of the signatures will be rejected if people don’t live in Bolton, but some people live outside the area are concerned too.

“We don’t have signatures from people in Surrey, it is the sur- rounding area of Bolton. We are honest, genuine people, we are not making up signatures.”

She added: “I will be at Victoria Square every day next week from noon to 2pm and hope to collect 200 a day.”

A spokesman for Bolton Coun- cil said the introduction of a council debate after collecting 4,000 signatures had only been recently introduced and to quali- fy residents must live, work or study in Bolton. But he added: “We will look at petitions on a case by case basis. If close rela- tives who live outside the area have family in the care homes they would count as they could be affected by this.”

He said the council has a verifi- cation system in place to check people’s details.

■ A public meeting is being held at the Friends Meeting House, Silverwell Street, from 7pm on Tuesday, August 30.