Protesters in battle pledge on Cannock day centre

Service users at Chase Day Services in Cannock will be meeting over the next few weeks to discuss a plan of action in a last-ditch bid to save the facility from moving into a smaller building.

Staffordshire County Council's cabinet agreed at a meeting on Wednesday to shut the facility.

Campaigner Dave Bailey, of Old Fallow Road, Cannock, whose son Stuart, aged 46, uses the centre in Cannock, said today: "We are not going to give up the fight. We will carry on.

"We've organised to have a meeting in the few weeks for parents and carers. I know a decision has been made but we aren't happy about it.

"What really concerns me is that some adults with learning disabilities will be thrown out of the service and end up walking the streets if they have nowhere to go."

Service users had battled to keep the centre open, protesting in the town centre with banners and placards at the weekend. Currently around 82 adults with learning disabilities use the centre in Longford Road, Cannock.

The decision also comes following a public consultation that revealed people did not want change.

Eight other centres will be affected in Stafford, Lichfield, Codsall, Kidsgrove, two in Newcastle, and ones in Burton and Tamworth.

They will either close, move, downsize or be run by charities, community groups and even private companies.

Also, service users will also have to undergo a fresh assessment to see if they should be sent elsewhere.

Cannock East Labour councillor Janos Toth called the closure of Chase Day Services a 'disgrace'. The decision is part of a massive overhaul of services for disabled adults but chiefs say it has nothing to do with the £109 million budget cuts in the next five years.

They add that the changes mean vulnerable people will get the proper care they need.

County Councillor Alan White, cabinet member for care, has said changes need to be made to the way services are delivered.

But he admitted the consultation showed 'people really did not want change'.

The sweeping changes to the provision of day services will be completed in 18 months to two years, council chiefs have said.

Around 30 per cent of service users with the most severe learning disabilities will continue with the provision they currently get. It is not known yet where the new centre in Cannock will open or what will happen to the current building in Longford Road.

Cannock Chase MP Aidan Burley said: "It was clear from my recent visit to Chase Day Services that those service users with profound disabilities need a specialist centre locally.

"Better still, the new day care centre will be located closer to the town centre, making it more accessible, and the services will be improved. I will now be ensuring that no service users will be moved to the new facility until it is fully equipped and ready for them."