A DAY centre for the elderly in Ben Rhydding could be closed down and its services moved to Ilkley's former Grove Convalescent Hospital.

Bradford Council is considering relocating

services from Moor Court, on Fieldway, as part of a re-organisation of services for the elderly around the district. The council is currently reviewing all its social services provision, and says it is looking at moving Moor Court's services elsewhere in Ilkley.

Charity Abbeyfield Ilkley, which is currently developing the Grove Hospital site as a day centre and apartments for the elderly, has confirmed that services from Moor Court could be moved to the site when facilities are completed next year.

Vice chairman of the Abbeyfield Ilkley committee, David Houliston, said the organisation had been involved in discussions with Bradford Council's social services department for around 18 months, and although nothing has yet been finalised, the development's day centre facilities will be able to take on the current users of Moor Court.

Mr Houliston said: "While we are developing Abbeyfield, we have had ongoing discussions with social services, and there will be opportunities for the day centre to accommodate all these people. So it's planned that when it's completed, that there will be the opportunity to transfer the services that are currently at Moor Court to Abbeyfield, and the charity will take over the responsibilities."

He said that discussions were still ongoing, and many details of the possible transfer have not been finalised - including staffing arrangements for the services. Abbeyfield's £9 million Ilkley Integrated Care Centre plans already feature a day centre within the walls of the old hospital. Building work is ongoing, and the centre is expected to be open in September next year.

The new day centre facilities will include a 60-seat restaurant, 15 care beds, coffee shop, activity centre, and is expected to have a number of services provided by the NHS.

Mr Houliston said: "While the discussions are

not finalised, I think the folks in Ilkley must

relax, as we will be able to accommodate the changes."

He said social services changes are expected to come in at around the same time.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth said consultations with a number of parties regarding the moving of services from Moor Court to The Grove Hospital are expected to take place in Ilkley from September 9-13.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "We are consulting on proposals to utilise a brand new, purpose-built day centre in Ilkley, less than one mile away from the existing service in Ben Rhydding.

"This will bring significant improvements in the quality of service and facilities to older people. It is part of an exciting new project which has been developed by the Abbeyfields Society and the Council is seeking to make full use of this for the benefit of local elderly people."