Day care cuts will 'risk lives'

Campaigners will appeal against the decision

Hundreds of day care places in Bristol are to be cut, with campaigners warning the move will put lives at risk.

The Lockleaze Day Care Centre will reduce its capacity to 30 from more than 200, and the Bristol 600 Club will lose 100 places, down to 30.

The move will save Bristol City Council, which is currently overspent, more than £750,000.

Councillors have also agreed to shut a unit in Fishponds, which also caters for elderly and disabled people.

Lives at risk

Beryl Richardson, a Lockleaze Day Care Centre user told the BBC: "I would just give up without somewhere to come like this - it's not worth living.

"I couldn't stick it just staying home all the time."

I think what this will mean is that people will die - I think it's that serious Andy Richardson, campaigner

Another user told the BBC: "It's my life. It's the only time I get out is to come to this centre one day a week."

Andy Richardson, who is campaigning against the cuts, said: "They're not going to see anyone, they will feel so alone.

"I think what this will mean is that people will die - I think it's that serious."

Councillor Robin Moss said: "Less people are using these centres compared to a generation ago.

"The government told us a couple of years ago to do a full assessment of people using day care services, and we also have a budget problem in social services.

"People are appealing over individual decisions. If it is clear we have made mistakes in those reviews, we will be able to expand the service if in hindsight I think it's wrong."

Campaigners have said they will appeal the decision in the courts.