Forty two elderly patients are waiting to hear which home will close

A total of 42 elderly people face an uncertain future as Wrexham Council decides which will be forced to close.

The local authority said it had difficult decisions to make, but "doing nothing is no longer an option".

Wrexham AM John Marek accused the council of "playing dice" with the lives of elderly people.

The local authority may close either 29-bedroomed Nant Silyn in Whitegate on the outskirts of Wrexham town centre, or Llys Madoc in Plas Madoc, which has 26 beds.

We have a demographic time bomb here Andrew Figiel, Wrexham Council

At present neither home is full and there are 13 vacancies.

Andrew Figiel, the council's chief social services officer, said the authority was looking at a package of cost-cutting measures because of budget constraints and an increase in the number of elderly people living in the county.

"We have a demographic time bomb here," he said.

"In Wrexham there is an increased demand from older people to be supported at home... we're finding that difficult.

Concerns

"Older people tell us that they want to remain at home for as long as possible and to maintain their independence and they want choice," he added.

Research conducted by the council suggests that by 2024 the over-85s in Wrexham will increase by 60%.

The council needs to save an initial �380,000, and over three years some �1m.

Other proposals include closing a day centre to save �80,000 and contract out a number of services, including home help.

Mr Figiel has said the council would try to "avoid redundancies at all costs".

In 2001, the council closed two homes.

I'm absolutely livid about this Ken Mack, Wrexham resident

Dr Marek said it was disgraceful that some residents who had already been moved once may have to move again.

Local resident and care home campaigner Ken Mack, whose mother-in-law was cared for in a Wrexham home, is launching a protest petition.

He said moving elderly residents to other homes could put their lives at risk.

"I'm absolutely livid about this. The council has a responsibility to these people and they should have the right to stay put," he said.

Unison representative Steve Jenkins called for a full consultation period with staff, patients and the council.

"Staff have been through this experience in Wrexham several times and a number of the residents as well," he said.

Mr Figiel said any changes would be carried out sensitively and a decision should be reached within a few months, after six to eight weeks' consultation.

"We're not talking about a speedy closure," he added.