The buildings are unused and are costing the public purse thousands of pounds.

Six former care homes are among 33 publicly-owned buildings across Lancashire which have been left to stand empty. Libraries, children's homes, homes for adults with learning difficulties and even an old pub are among an £11m property portfolio which last year cost council tax payers £80,000 to maintain.

The list of properties empty more than 12 months, obtained by a Freedom of Information request, includes: Moor Platt care home near Lancaster,
Charnley Fold care home, Bamber Bridge, Caton Library, Pollards Farm, Penwortham, an "uninhabitable" detached house next to a Blackpool landfill site.

The decision to shut 35 care homes was taken by the full council at the February budget meeting in 2002.

Now 20 of the buildings have been sold, or are in the process of being sold. However, a senior councillor urged officers not to try to "beat the market".

Stephen Costello, Lancashire County Council director of property, said: "The council is always looking to maximise resources and we have an ongoing programme to make sure underused properties can be sold. But there will always be a small number which are not in use due to changes being made."