ST HELENS Social Services are aiming to provide better facilities with plans for a centre to be used by people with learning disabilities.

Discussions are taking place with relatives of those attending the Greenacres Day Centre in Parr which the council is considering moving to the Newton campus of St Helens College.

Work could cost £200,000 and is part of the council's plan to invest more in services for disabled people and those who need care.

But the council stresses it has not taken any steps to dispose of the present building at this stage although council officers describe it as being in a very poor state.

"In our view it is no longer a suitable building for a day centre," said a council spokesman. "We have provisionally identified the campus site as an alternative and we have had discussions with some of the carers already. Further discussions are planned and a feasibility study completed before a decision is taken."

The council believes the proposed site would provide a better environment and enable links to training and educational opportunities to be provided through the college location.

The Social Services Committee has recently invested an additional £1 million in provision for those requiring care and measures include the extending of the service provided by day centres such as Greenacres from 45 weeks to a full 52 weeks a year.

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