Day centre users fear planned Council cuts will leave three-quarters of them out in the cold.

Skipton Road Day Centre in Keighley is a lifeline for those suffering from mental health problems.

Regulars have been told that raising the eligibility threshold will exclude those considered of low and moderate need.

This would mean 75 per cent of those who attend the centre would no longer be allowed through the doors, they claim. And they believe it could lead to the centre being closed down.

Harry Hardman has been attending the centre six days a week for more than a decade.

He said: "We just do not want to lose this place. We've been told that about 75 per cent of the people using the centre are classed as moderate and low. Yet everyone has been referred here."

They are also concerned about untrained volunteers being used to fill the gap in care.

"We are concerned that if we are herded out to voluntary services are the staff going to be capable, experienced, qualified and reliable to look after mentally-ill people?" said the 72-year-old.

Bradford Council also wants to raise the charges for home and day care and this would see thousands of people who receive adult social services being reassessed.

An outline of the possible charges and the recent consultation will be discussed by councillors at tomorrow's Social Care Improvement Committee.

And a Labour group motion before today's full Council was calling for the proposals to raise the threshold to be scrapped.

Last month the Telegraph & Argus reported how voluntary organisations could take over caring for as many as 500 elderly and disabled people if the cuts are brought in.

The Council wants to concentrate on those most in need and is priming voluntary groups to bridge the gap.

Some of the organisations already receive Council funding and could be in line for more to expand their roles.

The results of the consultation were due to be revealed today ahead of the executive meeting in a week's time. The Skipton Road Day Centre users have pledged to lobby the meeting.

If agreed, the changes would take place in October. They also mean that the thousands of people dependent on the Council for care will the reassessed and could move band.

The moves are to help the Council save almost £1.5 million over the next two years in line with its budget.

e-mail: jo.winrow@bradford.newsquest.co.uk