ANGRY parents say students with learning difficulties are being treated badly as courses at Westhoughton Community Learning Centre have been axed at short notice.

Yesterday was the last day learning life skills for a dozen students at the Central Drive centre as the students bid a tearful goodbye to each other and staff by attending an end-of-course party.

They were given just three weeks notice that the Bolton College-run course was to end and there are fears that the learning centre will close completely.

The college put the centre under review last year, claiming there was not enough demand for courses in Westhoughton.

Elisha Butterworth, aged 26, was in tears after her parents arrived to collect her from the centre for the final time yesterday.

“I am fed up crying,” she said.

The Butterworth family on the effects of the closure 

Elisha, who has mild cerebral palsy, epilepsy and learning difficulties, has attended the centre weekly for the last five years.

The family say the sessions for adults with special educational needs have been beneficial for Elisha, increasing her confidence and helping her to make friends, from whom she will now be separated.

Her parents claim the offer of a place at Brownlow Fold Community College instead, made formally in writing for the first time yesterday, is not feasible as it is too far away.

And they stress that, even if they put their daughter through the upheaval of moving her to a new centre, there is no guarantee that the course will continue there.

“She has loved it here,” said Mrs Butterworth. “I don’t really think the majority of students realise what is going to happen.” The family say they are disgusted by the decision to end provision for adult learners with special needs.

“What we can’t understand is why would you shut something that is providing a service for the most vulnerable in Bolton,” said Mr Butterworth. “We are appalled by it. We are appalled more than anything about the way it has been handled.”

The family are angered by the short notice they have been given.

“Elisha doesn’t have a voice — we have got to do it for her,” said Mr Butterworth, who intends to keep campaigning about lack of provision for adults with learning difficulties.

A spokesman for Bolton College said: “A decision has not yet been made with regards to the future of Westhoughton Community Learning Centre.

“We are currently looking into the viability of the centre, and as soon as we have reached a final decision this will be communicated.”

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