Families of the disabled people who rely on the Jubilee Centre are bitterly angry at its closure, confirmed by the county council this afternoon.

The Tory cabinet unanimously agreed to stop providing therapy and other services at the former school building in Catherine Street, despite a petition of more than 5,000 signatures from campaigners.

Bonnie Williams, whose semi-paralysed father is one of the centre's 70 clients, said: "I am so angry I can hardly speak."

Her sister Angela Jordan said: "They are completely ignoring 5,000 voters.

"The Jubilee Centre has been there 29 years, and the people of St Albans know what a great job it does.

"Now the people who use it are all going to split up.

"It is all about saving money."

She said she would take legal advice on fighting the move, as she believed the council was acting beyond its powers.

Councillor Sally Newton, cabinet member for adult care services, told her colleagues she acknowledged the centre had a "lovely, friendly atmosphere".

But she said the building was "not fit for purpose", particularly as the vehicle access was not safe.

The council claims all clients will receive at least the same level of service, if not better, at other day centres, at the Vesta Lodge care home in St Albans, through charities or through subsidised private businesses.

Councillor Newton's colleagues supported her decision, and said it was not appropriate for such a wide range of disabilities and ages to be catered for in one location.

But Ms Williams said: "It is the age mix which really makes the Jubilee Centre.

"The older people have the time to listen to the younger disabled people."

Fellow campaigner Mervyn Richards, whose wife has been left dumb and crippled through multiple sclerosis, said: "They say she will get as good a service elsewhere, but I don't believe it.

"Whenever the service has changed before, it has always got worse."

The council says it will not actually close the centre until appropriate alternative services are in place, but it has already contacted charities such as Age Concern.

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