COUNCILLORS in Cleveland have been warned to brace themselves over the likely closure of a day centre for people with learning disabilities.

Talk of service users being in tears at the prospect alarmed members of Redcar and Cleveland social services committee. But a call to "get the decision over with" went unheeded.

Instead, the chairman, Coun Pat Harford, said talks on the Skelton, Upsall Hall and Grangetown centres would go on until next April as planned.

"We must listen to the trainees. It is their lives we are dealing with," he said.

Social services team manager, Mr Chris Graham, said an appraisal had shown 368 places per day being available. But the authority had trouble maintaining this because Middlesbrough council was removing service users from Grangetown, so cutting income by £170,000.

Middlesbrough was also unable to guarantee use of 66 places at Upsall beyond April and might withdraw people in the same way as Grangetown.

"This presented a significant threat to the service," he said.

A report listed the following options: no service for Middlesbrough residents beyond April 2001; reduce three centres to two by April 2001; close the Grangetown centre; refocus the Grangetown service on Upsall Hall; expand use of satellite on community venues.

Committee members had since been to all three centres to hear the views of parents and carers and said delays over a decision were causing anxiety and upset.

Coun Sam Tombe said the Grangetown centre was purpose-built and one of the best-equipped in the area.

"Middlesbrough is holding us to ransom," he said. "People would flock to take Upsall Hall for development, but not Grangetown."

The committee visits were said to have been fraught.

Coun Norah Cooney said: "Parents were unhappy with the satellite stations. They felt they were not getting the sort of training they needed and that often there was nothing for users to do at these places."

Coun Barbara Harpham said parents and carers were aggrieved because they felt they were not being listened to.

Coun Vilma Collins said: "No-one likes change. No-one likes closing anything and we are in an unfortunate position and one we have been placed in by Middlesbrough. The initial move will be traumatic."

Coun Dave McLuckie said the council needed to look at the possible sale of Upsall Hall as a capital receipt and plough a chunk of the proceeds into social services.

"To ignore such a commercial potential would be wrong," he said.

Coun Ian Jeffries warned: "Ward councillors must brace themselves for what will follow this decision. There will be a huge outcry if Grangetown closes. You can't equate logic with the emotions which will be involved."

Coun Jeffries said one man at the Grangetown site meeting was in tears. "He attacked what he saw as councillors' beanos and compared it with the uncertainty and anxiety he faced," he said.

Coun Steve Kay said: "We are scared to make this decision and anxiety is mounting. We are side-stepping the issue. This strategy is futile, it is merely dragging it out and it is not fair.

"We should make a decision post-haste. Let's get it over with."

Coun Harford said consultations would go on until April 2001 as arranged. "We are not going to make a major decision like this without the fullest consultation," he said.