THE future of a day centre which provides care and a social life for disabled people will be decided by Lewisham Mayor Steve Bullock tonight.

Council officers have recommended the Naborhood Day Centre, in Sydenham Road, should close to save £50,000.

Centre users were in tears at the news.

The recommendation will be considered at a cabinet meeting tonight and is among "various proposals", according to a council spokesman.

The Naborhood Centre cares for and provides a social focus for adults with learning difficulties, latent autism, cerebral palsy and other debilitating conditions.

Steven Earl, 26, of Ardley Close, Sydenham, suffers from learning difficulties which his father, Richard, 57, of the same address, believes were caused by a mumps, measles and rubella vaccine he had when he was four years old.

Richard said: "The day patients look upon the centre as their own place.

"To shut it down will send them backwards and some may never recover.

"My son plays in a band started up in the centre called Uproar. Performing has given him an enormous boost in confidence over the past two years.

"If the centre shuts down, all the progress made will be in vain."

Norina Lehec, of Dacres Road, Forest Hill, mother of patient Elaine Lehec, 38, shares Mr Earl's concern.

She said: "All the clients were crying when the news came through. They were unable to understand why this is going to happen to them.

"We, as parents, are distraught. What will their future hold?

"There is a possible chance they could lose all their day time care and also lose friends they have had for many years."

A Lewisham Council spokesman said: "No decision has been arrived at at this stage. Various proposals have been put

forward and a decision is likely to be made at the mayor and cabinet meeting on Wednesday."

January 28, 2003 11:00