A DAY centre in Burnley for people with learning disabilities is set to close next month with services moving to a state-of-the-art building.

Services will be moved from the Meadowbank Day Centre, Whittam Street, to a £2million resource centre in Temple Street.

Plans to find a new base for services due to the run-down condition of Meadowbank was first mooted by Lancashire County Council bosses in January 2008.

Gill Holt, of adult and community services at the county council, said: “The newly-refurbished building will be a joint resource for adults with learning disabilities and adults with physical disabilities or sensory impairments.

“The remodelled building will offer state-of-the-art accommodation and facilities to enable continued supports to be delivered to adults with a range of complex needs including those with severe and enduring long term disabilities.”

Meadowbank was built in the early 1970s and was originally designed to offer daytime support to over 100 people undertaking a range of sheltered employment and educational training activities.

Ms Holt said: “Over the years the style of service has changed significantly and the building no longer meets the needs of the people currently using the service as those now attending have significantly higher support needs.”

The refurbished Burnley and District Adult Disability Service Centre will be ready for occupation from July.

Ms Holt said: “It is impossible to remain at Meadowbank Day Centre without a significant financial investment in upgrading the building in order to meet health and safety needs.

“To remain without upgrading the building would mean that acceptable standards of service and customer care would be seriously compromised.”