THE family of a Chorley man, who died two weeks after being moved out of his council-run care home, have blamed the move for his death.

Their claim comes after a county council pledge in the high court not to move elderly people out if doctors said their health would suffer.

Robert Dale, 86, had been living at Coniston House, Chorley, for three years, but moved to Grove House, Adlington, at the end of November when it was closed.

He died of a heart attack on December 18 which his family say was brought on by the stress of the move.

His son-in-law Lewis Baker, of Thirlmere Road, Chorley, said: "I am sure he would not have died if Coniston House was still open. When it closed he lost his friends, his home and his community.

"To move someone of that age at any time is disturbing, but to move them at Christmas is downright insensitive."

Lancashire County Council was taken to the high court by Chorley Borough Council in 2003 after deciding to close many of its care homes. In an out-of-court settlement, the borough council agreed to accept the closures if independent doctors checked the health of residents before they were moved. If it was felt that a move may be detrimental to the health of a resident, the county council said they would consider keeping the home open.

Nevertheless, Coniston House shut its doors on November 30 and the 11 residents were moved to private homes.

Mr Dale, a former worker at the Royal Ordnance Factory in Euxton, was checked by a doctor before moving, but taxi driver Mr Baker said he believed this was not enough.

"As far as I am concerned it was cut and dried. They were never going to keep Coniston House open despite the medical checks.

"We were all upset by his death and his three daughters are devastated."

Mr Baker's wife Lucille was too distressed to talk about her father's death.

A Lancashire County Council spokesperson offered condolences to Mr Dale's family but said they could not discuss individual cases. He said: "Following consultation, a number of procedures were put in place for the transfer of residents. These are designed to ensure that, as far as possible, the adverse impact of any move is kept to a minimum."