DISABLED people using the Jubilee Centre are angry at council plans to change its use.

The Darley Street centre in Halliwell has been used by disabled people as a social centre and meeting place since it opened in 1977.

Now Social Services propose to develop the council-owned building into an educational centre offering a range of courses as well as advice, information and drop-in sessions on subjects including employment opportunities.

However, those people who already regularly use the centre feel their needs are being compromised by the changes.

One 43-year-old wheelchair user from Farnworth said: "I have been going to the Jubilee Centre almost every day since it opened and this is a tragedy.

"They have slowly transformed all the rooms we had into offices and now they want to get rid of our snooker table and games room. We will have nothing left and members are so unhappy about it.

"I'm lucky, I have a car and can get about, but others can't and that centre is their only escape from the house and provides them with a social life. Now that will be taken away from them.

"They are running college courses, but most of the members are over 60 and are not interested in things like that, they just want a place to relax during the day. They aren't throwing people out, but they are not encouraging people to stay either."

A council spokesman said: "Bolton Council has been looking at how to encourage more disabled people to use the Jubilee Centre.

"Our aim is to provide a service which introduces a variety of activities that will appeal to a wider age range. These will include college courses, an IT suite, a respite service for carers, drop-in sessions such as employment opportunities, and an information desk enabling people to have access to a range of advice and guidance of interest to people with a disability.

"In addition, it is our intention to compliment existing evening provision within the Jubilee Centre."