Hundreds of people with learning difficulties across Tendring and north Essex could be faced with new charges for day care.

Essex Social Services has put plans to introduce new charges for people attending day care centres out to consultation.

Now Clacton and District Mencap has organised a special meeting to discuss the proposals and how they will hit people across the area.

Jan Howard, group chairman, said she fears the charges - which could come in on January 1 - will put people off using the day centres.

"What it could mean is that most people with learning difficulties that go to day care centres will have to pay for the services whereas they do not have to at the moment," she said.

"We are currently at the consultation stage and we need more information about the proposals and want some questions answered.

"It is very much a case of gathering all the facts so that if necessary we can make our feelings and views known at the outset."

Miss Howard said 150 letters had been sent out to people Mencap thought might be affected, but others were also invited to attend.

She said it was not known what the charges might be and they were likely to be means-tested.

"However we do fear charging could put some off using these very important day care centres," she added.

"They are important not only for the people going there, but also for their families and carers. It may be the only break they get during the week."

Miss Howard said Mencap wanted to find out exactly what the situation would be as soon as possible so it could pass on correct information to those who needed it most.

Colin Sullivan, Essex Social Services project manger, will be at the meeting in the Mencap Hall, St Andrew's Road, Clacton, on Tuesday starting at 7pm.

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