A care centre for people with mental health problems has lost almost half its clients since introducing a £14-a-week charge.

Users say the cost is too much, even though many rely on the council-run day centre as a lifeline.

Max Leslie, 56, a long-term sufferer from paranoid schizophrenia and Crohn's disease, says regular support and social contact at the Allen Centre in Hove has kept him from committing suicide.

But he can no longer afford to attend the day centre, which runs therapy courses, after Brighton and Hove City Council increased the charges.

Now the council has threatened legal action against him for an unpaid bill of £70. He and other users of the centre believe the fees are unfair.

He said the number of people attending the centre regularly has dropped from about 70 to 30.

When Mr Leslie started visiting the centre four years ago it was free. Two years ago, an £8 weekly charge was introduced, which was increased to £14 last year.

Mr Leslie said for five months he and others got away without paying because sympathetic staff at the centre let them attend for free.

But last month he received a letter demanding £70 for five weeks' attendance.

He said: "If I couldn't go to the Allen Centre, I'd self-destruct in six months. I'd probably take an overdose in my flat. These charges are extortionate."

He believes the council and the Government are persecuting people with mental health problems, who are already on low benefits.

He said: "They feel vulnerable people like myself will not complain or make a fuss.

"To charge those on disability living allowance benefits prevents them from buying ordinary necessities."

The number of people attending the centre regularly has dropped from about 70 to 30.

Mr Leslie, who attends five times a week, said: "I believe the staff morale is at a low ebb now.

"We used to have therapeutic groups on things like anxiety management or assertiveness but they have slipped."

A council spokesman said: "We're sorry to hear of Mr Leslie's problems.

"We will be getting in touch with him to arrange to reassess his situation."

He added a meeting was being held today to discuss improvements to the way the centre was run.