ELDERLY people living in Bolton are three times more likely to lose their care home places than others in the North-west.

A survey, by marketing company Laing and Buisson, revealed that the North-west is the second worst in the country for closure of care homes because owners say that fees paid by councils for residents have not kept pace with the true costs.

Thousands of pensioners have been moved out of their privately owned care homes during the past year with over four per cent of homes in the North-west closing in the last 12 months, the national survey revealed. But Bolton's story is even worse with 12.5 per cent of residents in care in the town losing their places because of home closures during the same period.

So far 66 elderly residents in Bolton lost their places in homes in the last 10 months.

Seymour House, in Astley Bridge, was the first home to close in October last year. It was followed by The Hollies in Farnworth, Highfield House in Chorley New Road, Galebrook at Dunscar and the Riverside at Deane.

The main reason for the closure, say care home owners, is the poor money they are paid from councils for the care they provide.

Ann Collins, chairman of the Bolton Association of Residential Care Homes, said: "We have been campaigning for an increase in fees to reflect the care we give for many years."