CASH strapped council chiefs are to close a popular day centre for people with learning disabilities.
Whittle Pike in Ramsbottom is targeted for closure as social services chiefs start a shake-up of day services.
They want to change the way services for people with learning disabilities are run in the borough by having a more community-based "Outreach" system. They need to close Whittle Pike to pay for the shake-up.
The news caused massive upset among the 30-plus people who attend the centre when the news was broken yesterday.
Mrs Jean Greener, whose daughter Clare is one of the centre users, said: "There were tears, and a lot of upset people - one girl even had a panic attack.
"They want to stay there, not be put out to different centres. Outreach sounds fine on paper, but there are a lot of drawbacks in practice."
The council have promised to consult everyone as part of the review, and a meeting will be held at Whittle Pike on Monday (August 18) at 7.30pm.
Coun John Costello, chairman of social services, said: "To do nothing is not an option. The centres are already full.
"I realise the anxieties which any proposed changes to current services can cause, but I want to reassure the people of Bury, and in particular all those who use and rely on the current day services, that this consultation exercise is a very real one designed to ensure everyone has their say."
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