Last Thursday, Hertfordshire County Council's adult care and health cabinet panel recommended the Manor Street centre be closed and the 72 residents who use it to go to various sites in Hemel Hempstead.

The panel also recommended the Tring service remain in Tring.

Although the final decision, which will be made on Monday, rests with county's cabinet the news has outraged residents and carers who depend on the service.

Helen King whose mother, Josephine Loizou, 76, attends the centre twice a week, said the panel's recommendation was diabolical.

She said: "It's obvious they haven't listened to what we've said and this whole thing comes down to money. The people who use it have paid their rates, many of them or their partners fought in the war. They don't deserve this."

Many campaigners accept the current building, which is temporary, is no longer fit for use, but are against the centre being moved out of Berkhamsted altogether.

However, county figures indicate that offering the service in Hemel Hempstead would drastically reduce running costs. County chiefs have looked at keeping the service in Berkhamsted but concluded it could cost up to £3million to build a new facility.

Margery Giddings, who is permanently disabled and has been visiting the day centre for more than 11 years, said: "We're all disgusted by this. I think the service should stay in the town, we don't want it to be moved. It will make it more difficult for people."

Manor Street looks after Berkhamsted's elderly and frail offering social and creative activities such as bingo.

It also offers vital respite for full-time carers.

A spokesman for the county council, John Camp, said: "The panel is not a decision making body. It can make comments and recommendations but the decision will rest with cabinet."

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