ELDERLY and disabled residents are furious after being given as little as a fortnight's warning about the closure of day centres.

Users of Chiswick Day Centre, for older residents, were told last week they could no longer attend after October 21, according to carers.

Heston's Acorn Centre, for people with learning disabilities, is due to shut its doors for the last time on October 31, families have been informed.

The closures were part of £1.6 million cuts to social services approved at the borough council meeting on September 20 despite fierce opposition from Conservative councillors.

Councillor Gurmail Lal, lead member for adult social care, said at the meeting that none of the centres affected would close until alternative arrangements had been decided with all service users.

Laura Ware, whose parents attend Chiswick Day Centre, this week accused him of reneging on that promise.

She claims that although her mother was offered alternatives, none of these are suitable.

"After receiving a letter announcing the closing date of November 1, day centre users received unsolicited telephone calls from social workers informing them they will no longer be allowed to attend the centre as of October 21," she said.

"This action has caused such suffering and panic that cannot be put into words.

"Still no viable alternatives have been found and offered to the users. No one has been treated with the kindness and care yourself and Councillor Ruth Cadbury (deputy council leader) promised."

Ms Ware said none of the four alternative services recommended to her mother had the necessary staff to care for people with high needs.

One of the services suggested was the Buzz Club, based at Chiswick Christian Centre, in Fraser Street, which meets once a month.

Although Pauline Hart, who runs the social group, is keen to make it a weekly event, she said she was surprised the council had recommended the club to day centre users.

"No one at the council has spoken to me about this, which is disappointing," she said.

"I know how depressing it is to be stuck at home so I wanted to provide a more frequent service but I don't even know when it will go weekly yet."

Sue Clark, whose son Jamie attends the Acorn Centre, said: "The council told us nothing would close until alternative services had been found but Jamie has had no assessment and there's nothing out there that's suitable for him."