THE council have just cut through their main artery by announcing that funding for a service (the Re:d Centre) which is desperately needed by the disabled children of the borough, is to be reduced 50 per cent.

This 'artery' is the pride of the council, praised by them as a 'flagship service' and held up as en example of 'best practice' in a recent inspection by the Social Services Inspectorate. It was exactly this kind of recognition that enabled the council to put illuminated signs on the town hall declaring their elevation to 'most improved council'. Despite all this they cut the budget.

For children who attend the Re:d Centre in Morley Street, Bury, it is their only chance to meet friends and socialise without family members being present. This is a vital part of any young persons development, and one which most young people take for granted. If that young person has special needs, it is the one part of their life that they would not experience anywhere else.

The staff at the centre are wonderful, dedicated, and professional. They keep within their budget, and never overspend.

This facility is desperately required by Burys disabled children, but there is a long waiting list and this service should be being extended not reduced to meet that need. The residents of Bury pay their ever-increasing council tax precisely so that this kind of public service can be made available for those unfortunate members of the community who may have need of it. Yet all they see are more and more devastating cuts to childrens services through both the local authority and the NHS.

For example, where will children who need the special care baby unit go if their condition means that they need continued specialised care as they get older? Services currently provided by places like the Re:d Centre will not be there for them.

My child attends the Re:d Centre, but as there is such a long waiting list her attendance has to be rationed. As a result, she attends on an infrequent basis and has to give up her place to allow another child access. This is happening even before the cuts come into force; now she faces the prospect of losing altogether the only service she has and treasures.

JULIE SHUKER