Report recommends centre closures

The council said day care centres are becoming less popular

A report has recommended the closure of seven day-care centres for the elderly in Northumberland.

The county council is proposing giving people "personal budgets" to spend on activities of their choice, rather than attending the council-run sites.

The draft report, which was published on Tuesday, follows a consultation process which ended last month.

Its recommendation will be considered by meetings of the full council and executive cabinet on 17 September.

The council plans to close centres in Amble, Bedlington, Blyth, Ponteland, Prudhoe, Hexham and Haltwhistle.

Pensioners who use the facilities are taken by minibus to socialise with people of their own age.

Northumberland County Council said traditional day-care centres were becoming less popular and that many elderly people wanted more choice about where they could spend their time.

However, members of Age Concern Northumberland have previously said the proposals could result in less choice for elderly people.