BOLTON Council leader Cliff Morris has denied that the two care homes face closure — despite the concerns of families of residents.

Cllr Morris told a public meeting on Tuesday that although a cost-cutting review was being carried out, there were no plans to shut either Wilfred Geere Care Home or Laburnum Lodge.

He said: “The only guarantee I can give you is that we have never said we will close these homes. That was never our intention.

“The intention was to have a review of the provision right across the spectrum for older people, whether it is in a care home, a residential home or their own homes.”

More than 50 people attended the meeting at the Friend’s Meeting House, in Silverwell Street, Bolton, to raise concerns about the homes’ futures.

They fear their relatives will be forced to leave or, even if they remain open, the centres will be rundown.

Christina Taylor, whose terminally-ill husband Ken receives care at Wilfred Geere, said: “Relatives are very happy with the quality of care at these two care homes, but the homes have not been properly funded for quite some time.” Concerns were also raised about private care homes, following the financial difficulties faced by Southern Cross, which runs Astley Grange in Astley Bridge, Four Seasons in Breightmet and Meadowbank House in Great Lever.

It also comes after inspectors from the Care Quality Commission said they had major concerns over how elderly residents were being looked after at St Catherine’s Care Home in Horwich.

Mrs Taylor, of Sharples, said: “The current track record of private care homes in Bolton does not fill me with confidence.”

David Crausby, MP for Bolton North East, who was at the meeting, said: “We should be looking at an overall solution, not tearing the thing to bits by closing care homes because of the cuts in public services.”