Lunch clubs, day centres and community transport schemes could fall victim to swingeing cuts in a social services budget.

North Yorkshire County Council social services department will bear the brunt of cuts which finance chiefs may take to make the books balance.

Whitehall bosses have told the county it can spend an extra £14 million next year on top of its current spending of £362 million. But county accountants estimate that to keep services at the present level, they need an extra £20 million.

Voluntary organisations in North Yorkshire are planning to lobby the county social services committee, which meets tomorrow, to warn them about the impact of cuts.

Neil Irving, chief officer of North Yorkshire Forum for Voluntary Organisations, said: "We recognise that North Yorkshire received a poor settlement from the Government, but axing funding will close lunch clubs, day centres and community transport schemes - directly affecting many older and disabled people.''

He said it would prevent people having access to independent support, such as advocacy schemes, which enabled them to voice their needs and gain services to which they were entitled.

Voluntary organisations are writing to county councillors and MPs to stress the devastating nature of the proposed cuts, he added.

County councillors have already lobbied Local Government Minister Hilary Armstrong at her office in Whitehall.

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