PARENTS have vowed to fight plans to close a flagship day centre for adults with learning difficulties.

Durham County Council says the Durham Centre, at Aykley Heads in Durham City, which is used by about 100 people, will be shut in the next two to three years.

The centre is one of six across the county facing closure to meet a Government order that people with learning difficulties are better integrated into their own communities and have more opportunities, including the chance of employment.

The council says that statutory guidance based on a White Paper called Valuing People requires it to shut its larger day centres and that it plans to provide better services more locally.

The Durham Centre, built in 1963, provides activities and trips for adults - some are also physically disabled - between the ages of 18 and 65.

The centre's Parent and Friends Association has raised thousands of pounds for equipment,

Association chairman Tom Scott, 75, of Durham, whose 37-year-old son Philip attends the centre, said: "No discussions with parents and carers has taken place. The centre is renowned for its lively, friendly atmosphere and its dedicated, highly professionally staff. It is regarded as the flagship of Durham County Care."

The association, which will be campaigning to keep the centre open, believes the Government, though well intentioned, has got it wrong and that the cost of "care in the community" will far exceed the £740,470 that the centre currently costs and will not provide a better service

Ann and Ronnie Skippon, of Framwellgate Moor, are worried that their Downs Syndrome son Darren, 37, will not get insulin injections for his diabetes if he is moved to a new, smaller community-based venue because their nurse will only go to the centre.

"They are all happy going there. They go for days out, they go all over the place. Darren thoroughly enjoys it and I think we will get a lot of trouble if it closes,'' said Mrs Skippon.

Joan Meek, also of Framwellgate Moor, whose daughter Linda, 35, is handicapped, said: "They have all the equipment there and the staff are great. If this closure does happen quite a few of the people who go there will get very upset.''

Consultations have already started about the closure of the centre at Annfield Plain. Centres at Peterlee, Newton Aycliffe, Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor also face the axe in the next six or seven years.

A county council spokesman said: "We have been involved in lengthy consultations with parents and user groups. We are following Government recommendations and the end result will be highly enhanced services for people who use the centre, which will provide them with a much more active role in their local communities.''