There has already been plenty of comment in the local press on this subject from the providers as to the lack of uptake of existing services which they claim has prompted this consultation.

There have also been many swift and angry responses from the clients' point of view on the difficulties of accessing other suitable provision.

Working as we do with many elderly people who are still managing to live in their own homes, our main concern is the impact these proposed closures will have on the carers, many of whom are pensionable age themselves.

From our experience, we know of many cases where the spouse or partner, son or daughter, who is the main carer, depends on the elderly person's visit to the day centre for their only break in a relentless 24-hour/seven-days-a-week cycle of care.

Take this respite away and we may find that we end up with many more people, both clients and their present carers all in need of full-time care.

The increased pressure on local health centres, hospitals and residential care homes will soon start to take its toll.

It is to be hoped that our voices will be heard in the consultation process and that common sense will prevail.

Canon Janet Brearley, Rev Margaret Hobrough, Rev Wendy Aird, Revd Diane Westmoreland, Rev Peter Lear, Rev Mike Catling, Rev Rachel Squires, Rev John Pugh, Rev Greg Thompson, Rev Velda Nicholson, Canon Dennis Winter, Canon Ian Knox, Rev Simon White, Rev Peter Sutcliffe.