THE charity behind a community for adults with learning disabilities has said it did not intend to prevent residents from attending a vigil in protest of proposed changes in at the village.

Residents and co-workers at Botton Village, based in Danby Dale in the North York Moors, took part in a candlelit vigil last month in response to proposed changes to the way the co-workers – who act as carers - are financially supported and managed.

Action for Botton campaigners, who want the village to remain as it is, said Camphill Village Trust which runs Botton Village tried to stop the vigil from taking place.

But Camphill Village Trust chief executive Huw John said: “It was never the intention of the charity to prevent anyone that we support taking part in such an event or to voice their own opinions.

“We do however have a responsibility to ensure that the people we support are not being coerced or manipulated to reach a decision, but are presented the facts in a balanced manner and in a way in which they are able to understand.

“We did refuse permission for the vigil to take place within Botton, as it would have been wholly inappropriate and would have caused heightened levels of anxiety in the village. We did not, however, try to prevent the vigil from taking place elsewhere."

Neil Davidson, Action for Botton chairman, said: “In his statement Mr John has implied residents of Botton were being ‘manipulated and coerced’ by co-workers.

“That is an extraordinary insinuation to make with no supporting evidence provided.

“In fact many residents are more than capable of expressing their outrage themselves, without any undue influence.”