CARERS of people with severe learning disabilities have branded cutbacks to the borough's respite services as 'dis-graceful' and 'immoral'.

Families and carers who regard the respite services provided by The Croft, in Halton Village, as a lifeline have hit out at Halton and St Helens Primary Care Trust after the number of beds at the centre was cut from six to four.

As a result, users' respite time has been slashed in half, causing heartache for families across the borough.

The cuts come after an inspection by the Commission for Social Care Inspection raised concerns over space at the Runcorn respite centre.

As a further blow, Halton Borough Council has revealed that Moorfield Road respite centre is to close its doors in March, forcing Widnes users to travel to Bredon in Runcorn.

One carer branded the move as 'a disgraceful waste of money'.