BLANDFORD Town Council has written a "strong letter of condemnation" to Dorset County Council over proposals to close Blandford Day Care Centre, as part of a raft of cuts.

At their meeting this week, town councillors also agreed to write to all councillors on Dorset County Council, asking them not to close the centre.

Town council members believe there has been a lack of consultation over the proposal and are unhappy at the county council's "grossly inadequate" response to their letter of December 6 as less than half of their questions were answered.

The centre, supporting adults with special needs, has been earmarked as part of a series of proposed cuts to claw back around £600,000 of the county council's overspent budget.

Users would be transferred for day services by bus to Sturminster Newton and Verwood.

The plans also include closing day centres for the elderly, including closing Rawson Court in Gillingham and merging the Swanage day centre for elderly people in Wareham, and to make cuts in staffing.

Blandford mayor Steve Hitchings said they had voted unanimously to take their stand.

"We feel that we have asked appropriate questions on behalf of concerned service users and for the benefit of our residents.

"The county council has chosen not to answer these questions."

Cllr Hitchings said they were asking legitimate questions but they had been told that until the decision was made, the county council would not cost the travel implications of changes.

"We're trying to persuade the county council to change their mind.

"The county council had a really good settlement this year, £4 million more than they expected.

"Government have given it to the county to provide services which we need. They have not given it to keep the council tax down."

David Crowhurst, Dorset County Council cabinet member for adult and community services, has stressed they have to find more cost-effective and efficient ways to deliver the service within their available resources.

The county overview committee on January 17 will consider a report from the consultation meetings and submissions from the public, and make a recommendation on the way forward.