AN angry mum has slammed Hyndburn Council's decision to axe a summer playscheme for disabled children because of budget cuts.

Today council leader Peter Britcliffe apologised for the "cock-up" and urged his council team to find necessary funding to try and save the event.

Pamela McCullagh, said that the council scheme at White Ash School, Oswaldtwistle, gave families of disabled children a vital break during the summer holidays.

Pam, 29, of Sparth Road, Clayton-le-Moors, is mum to 10 year-old Matthew Wilcock, who suffers from Angelmans Syndrome - meaning he has severe learning difficulties, epilepsy and slow growth.

He has been attending the playscheme for the past five years.

But Pamela, a part-time saleswoman and student, received a letter saying the scheme - due to start in August - would not be running this year and suggesting parents turned to Blackburn with Darwen council for places instead.

Pam, who pays £20 per session for Matthew to attend, said: "Matthew loves going and it is important that he has a chance to interact with other children."

Coun Britcliffe said the scheme cost £19,000 a year to run and added: "There has been a cock-up and I am very disappointed.

"The scheme seems to have got caught up in a budget process because Lancashire County Council's Social Services couldn't confirm how much money they were giving us. I am not blaming anyone but I have told the officers that they should do all that is possible to ensure it will go ahead this year."

Labour group leader Jean Battle, who is also a county councillor, said: "During Hyndburn's budget process they looked at options for saving money and this was one."

Headteacher at White Ash School, Brian Frew, said: "We were just informed that the scheme would not be running. We are very disappointed that the children will not have these facilities."

In the letter sent to parents, principal sports development officer Susan Cooper said: "This particular scheme was amongst a number that had its funding withdrawn.

"The council is looking at securing external funding for the project to be reinstated next summer. For this year, however, I would suggest contacting Blackburn with Darwen Council's play and recreation team who do run a very similar project."

Steve Rigby, director of culture, leisure and sport for Blackburn with Darwen Council said: "We have not been approached by Hyndburn or any other council to make provisions for people living outside our boundaries."

Coun Britcliffe said the comment was an "innocent suggestion."