A Shrewsbury care home is closing its day centre for the elderly as part of social services’ attempts to save £290,000.

Coverage Care’s Briarfields home will close its day facilities forcing pensioners to find other arrangements.

Chief executive David Coull admitted further closures were likely as part of the social services budget cuts and would affect up to 130 pensioners countywide.

Day centre users at Briarfields were told of the decision at an emotionally charged meeting yesterday.

Mr Coull stressed the residential service at Briarfields will remain unaffected by the closure.

He said Coverage Care and social services will work alongside the day care users, whose needs will be reassessed.

Mr Coull admitted the reassessment could take up to six weeks, but said Coverage Care was looking into the feasibility of providing a short-term facility.

He said: “I am deeply sorry for the fact it had to occur. As far as I am aware it is only Coverage Care centres which are affected.”

Liam McKervey, Shropshire County Council’s assistant director for Older People and Disabilities, confirmed there were no plans to shut the residential home.

Trev Butler, whose mother uses the day centre at Briarfields, said they were told at a meeting which left many people visibly upset. He said: “I’ve never seen so many elderly people crying their eyes out.”

Last week it was revealed the day centre at Market Drayton’s Woodcroft Nursing Home could shut if Shropshire County Council withdraws its cash support.