Shropshire County Council was today accused of being callous and “picking on” vulnerable elderly people over its plans to close day care facilities in a bid to save £290,000.

The council says that individual needs will be fully taken into account in any changes to services.

The day facilities facing closure are provided from homes run by Coverage Care Ltd – Briarfields, in Shrewsbury; Westlands, in Wem; Woodcroft, in Market Drayton; and Fairholme, in Oswestry.

Mr Roy Broad, of Myddle, near Wem, yesterday attended a meeting at Westlands where, he said, Liam McKervey, council assistant director for older people and disabilities, announced the closure of the day centre, to take effect at the end of this month.

Mr Broad has written to North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson who has promised to take up the matter.

In his letter, Mr Broad said the closure would deny his father, Eric, 90, and many others the personal care and company they have come to rely on.

“The feeling at the meeting was that SCC was picking on some of the most vulnerable in the county,” he said. “I am appalled at this callous decision by SCC, the lack of consultation and the short notice given for these closures.

“I am not sure what my father is going to do. Sadly he sees this as the beginning of the end.”

Mr McKervey said: “I want to assure all our service users, and their families, that individual service needs will be fully taken into account.”