A CAMPAIGN has been launched to prevent the closure of a disability claims assessment centre.

A fight begun by Redcar and Cleveland Welfare Rights Unit and the borough's Citizen's Advice Bureau to save the medical centre in Middlesbrough from closure is being supported by the area's two MPs, Redcar MP Vera Baird and Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.

Under social security regulations, anyone claiming Incapacity Benefit must attend a mandatory medical assessment.

The Woodlands Road medical centre in Middlesbrough is one of a number on Teesside and part of a string of centres across the country carrying out assessments on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

It is proposed that it is closed and replaced with a centre in Thornaby.

Welfare rights worker Val Hudson said: "I believe this decision will have serious consequences for many ill and disabled people who do not have access to private transport and who will have to travel long distances by public transport to and from the new centre.

"We have a number of clients who will not be able to make the journey because of the severity of their disability."

Anyone travelling to Thornaby from Skinningrove would have to change buses three times.

"This is unreasonable for people who are sick or disabled," she said.

Mrs Hudson and fellow campaigners want to collect evidence and urge people living in east Cleveland who would be affected, to either contact them or write to the Minister for the Disabled Anne McGuire.

A spokesman for the Department said: "No decisions have been taken. There are discussions going on with the Minister for Disabled People. Anne McGuire. Those are still going on. There are no centres that are definitely designated for closure."

People can call the Welfare Rights Unit on (01642) 771166 between 10am and noon, Monday to Friday, or write to: Anne McGuire, MP Minister for Disability, House of Commons, London.