Southend Council is to press ahead with the closure of two centres for adults with learning disabilities despite intense opposition.

Banner-waving protesters and a 7,000-strong petition failed to persuade councillors to save Maybrook day centre and the adjoining Berland House respite care home in Southchurch Road.

Adults with learning difficulties who live outside Southend in Rochford and Castle Point will also be exluded from using the Avro centre in Eastwoodbury Lane under the proposals.

Labour leader, Kevin Robinson (St Luke's) pleaded with the ruling Tory administration at last night's full council to think again over the proposals, designed to modernise the council's learning disability services.

He said: "It seems the way this has been handled has let people down. We have ballsed this up and we need to look again because there are a lot of people with real worries about the future for people who currently use these facilities."

However, Verina Weaver (Con, West Shoebury), executive councillor for social care, said a great deal of time had been spent dealing with clients and with their carers.

She added: "We will take into account every letter and everything else we receive but we have to progress services in Southend in line with Government requirements and modern standards.

"While these facilities may have been suitable and state of the art 30 or 40 years ago, they no longer meet with modern requirements."