PRESSURE was today mounting on Bolton's social services chiefs who are poised to close two old people's homes.

Organisers of two petitions have collected more than 4,500 signatures objecting to the move.

Members of the trade union UNISON are also planning to lobby councillors when they arrive at the town hall later today for a social services committee meeting when the crucial decision will be made. Councillors will be asked to agree to the closure of Stocks Park, Horwich and Lever Edge House, Great Lever.

One of the petitions, with 3,520 signatures, has been organised by a campaign to save Stocks Park in the Horwich, Westhoughton and Blackrod areas.

Co-ordinator Mr Dave Greenfield, said: "There is very strong feeling in this area about the closure.

"It is not only people who have relatives in there. In the future, any of us could be in need of care." The other petition with around 1,000 signatures was organised by the Bolton branch of the Socialist Labour Party, which was set up by former miners' leader Arthur Scargill.

President Mr Billy Kelly said that the signatures were from shoppers in the town centre over the weekend.

"They were just ordinary people who saw us and came up and signed."

Social services chiefs want to close the homes to save £1 million and balance their budget.

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