FORTY residents, councillors and the local MP were out in force to protest against the proposed closure of an adult day care centre.

The Phoenix Centre in Lewes has been included in East Sussex County Council’s list of proposed £4 million savings. The proposal is currently in the consultation phase.

The centre provides a day care facility to over 55s suffering from long-term health issues such as dementia, Alzheimer’s and the aftereffects of a stroke.

On Saturday October 12, 40 residents, councillors from all three tiers of local government, Lewes MP James MacCleary - and even a dog called St Kit Bassford - were they with a placard held up outside the centre in protest at its proposed closure. 

Lewes Town councillor Kevin West, who arranged the protest, said: “We have to continue the fight for all the services which have been threatened. These cuts are falling on the most vulnerable and will make very hard lives unbearable. It is essential we continue to provide these services.

“I have some sympathies with these councils which have had cuts year on year from the Conservative governments but it’s a choice, and it’s the wrong choice.”