'What am I going to do if my day centre closes?'

Bob Dixon uses Vale View regularly

The family of a 94-year-old man says a Lancashire day centre under threat from council cuts has been a "lifesaver" for him.

Bob Dixon, who lives independently in Morecambe, goes to Vale View in Lancaster four times a week, where he meets friends, takes part in activities and has meals prepared for him.

It is one of five day centres in Lancashire under review by Lancashire County Council, alongside five care homes, as the local authority looks to save money.

Mr Dixon said: "I just think, 'what am I going to do?' I need somewhere to go to take the pressure off my loved ones a little bit." A consultation is under way and County Hall says as yet "no decisions" have been made.

Mr Dixon who started going to the centre with his wife, who died 18 months ago, added: "What satisfaction are you going to get from closing a good place like that, which looks after people of a ripe age? I don't want them to close the centre at all."

His family share his concerns, with his daughter Susan Hodkinson saying: "It's a lifesaver for dad and for us really, because it means he's occupied, he's using his mind, he's keeping himself active, he's being fed and looked after."

She believes without the day centre, the family would need to look at other options, including residential care homes.

'Shape the future'

County Councillor Graham Dalton, cabinet member for adult social care, is urging families to take part in the consultation.

He said: "The consultation we are running is a really important opportunity for people to share their views and help shape the future of adult social care in our county.

"I would also like to make it clear that no decisions have been made about the future of any of these services."

The other day centres under review are Byron View in Colne, the Derby Centre in Ormskirk, Milbanke Day Centre in Kirkham, and Teal Close in Thornton Cleveleys.

The care homes are Favordale in Colne, Grove House in Adlington, Milbanke in Kirkham, Thornton House in Thornton Cleveleys and Woodlands in Clayton-le-Moors.

A final decision is expected to be made in February.