LIVES could be lost with the axing of a £2million health and wellbeing service for Lancashire, a councillor has warned.

Plans to withdraw the Lancashire Wellbeing Service, which aimed to support vulnerable people and prevent NHS and social care admissions, were approved by county councillors.

Part of the proposed alternative will see more people directed towards the authority's Every Contact Counts programme, which promotes digital assistance for users.

But County Cllr Azhar Ali said: "There is a real genuine concern, from people who use this service, that this will lead to lost lives.

"When people are suffering from mental health issues they don't want a digital offer, they want to talk to someone."

He told a cabinet meeting that a string of MPs had lined up to criticise the service's anticipated loss - and 88 per cent of those who took part in a consultation exercise were against the cuts.

Cllr Geoff Driver, county council leader, replied: "There is absolutely no evidence to support that claim. It is irresponsible of you to suggest that."

He said a "groundbreaking" agreement had been reached this week with Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, and the leaders of Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool councils, along with two district council representatives, to meet and "pool their resources" to explore a replacement offer.

Cllr Keith Iddon, deputy county leader (Chorley Rural West), added: "MPs are very good at writing letters to the county council.

"But they never tell us how to go about solving things."