A LAST-DITCH attempt has been made to rally St Ives townsfolk in defence of the elderly day care centre ahead of its closure.

St Ives Day Care Centre, which has been running for 40 year, announced last month that it will close at the end of this month.

The closure will leave up to 27 elderly people with nowhere to go and result in the loss of six jobs.

The board which runs the Westcott's Quay centre said dwindling numbers and reduced funds meant it was no longer financially viable.

A meeting of all the agencies involved in providing care services for the elderly has been called next month to "fill the gap" left by the centre.

Town councillor Andrew Mitchell said "the silence has been absolutely deafening" from those in power to keep it open.

Cllr Mitchell said: "Why are we not having marches and meetings to protest against the closure of our day care centre?

"It is still not too late and I urge the people of St Ives to stand up and show Cornwall Council the mistake they are making. Let's organise some community action so that people can see how dismayed we are that this is being stolen from us."

St Ives MP Andrew George visited the centre on Monday after he was contacted by a member of staff, but he warned that it was probably too late to save the facility.

"It would be cruel and improper to falsely raise hopes that there was an easy solution that could be found," Mr George said. "There is, however, a wider issue of what elderly people do when the low tier of support has been withdrawn and the impact that has on people – particularly such as those who are already isolated in places like Downalong.

"The centre is a resource for St Ives and should not be sold off simply to swell the coffers at County Hall."

Up to 15 elderly clients who used the centre are now planning to join the successful day care centre in Hayle.

Cllr Ron Tully has invited Cornwall Care, Cornwall Council's adult social care department and the NHS to a meeting on April 14 to look at long term provision of assistance.

"It is to take stock of what's on offer, identify any gaps and take measures to fill them and publicise the details," he said.

"How we transport people to these activities is a real issue as the minibus for Hayle only goes as far as Carbis Bay."

Anyone who wishes to contribute to the debate is invited to the meeting at 10.30am on April 14 at the Guildhall.