Parents' fears over Cheviot View and Castledene centres

Nicola Vose is concerned for her two vulnerable children

Families protesting against the closure of two respite centres in Newcastle are taking a campaign to save them directly to city councillors.

Cheviot View and Castledene are set to close in April as the council attempts to cut £100m from its budget.

Mother-of-two Nicola Vose will address a meeting of the authority on Wednesday and fears privately-run alternatives will be inadequate.

The council said it was having to make some "agonising" decisions.

Cheviot View in Longbenton provides overnight and short-term stays for children with behavioural needs while Castledene in South Gosforth caters for adults with learning difficulties.

'No support'

Ms Vose has a child using each centre and is concerned private sector facilities will not be able to cater for them.

"We're going to be left with no support," she said.

"I refuse to put my children in a place where they're going to be more vulnerable than they already are."

The council will still be legally obliged to provide the care but the service would be delivered by other providers.

The price of providing respite care at Cheviot View and Castledene is "considerably higher" than the average cost charged by other providers, it said.

In a statement it added: "We appreciate how distressing this must be for the people who use the service and their carers.

"We are still in consultation with them and we will do our best to support them through what we know is a difficult time."