Carers have hit out at the suggestion that closing day care centres could save Richmond Council money, saying the true cost of the plan has been ignored.

Susan Scorer, 78, said proposals to close Hampton's Tangley Hall day centre could mean dementia sufferers end up paying a high personal price.

The carer, of Stuart Grove, Teddington, said: "It's very unjust. The suggestion is people should go over the river to join a centre [in Ham] that is under used but it is an awkward place for people to go to.

"The whole thing would be very disorientating and unfamiliar for Tangley's users."

Mrs Scorer, the primary carer for her husband Collin, who suffers from dementia, said moving day care users elsewhere would increase the strain on carers.

She added: "It will make a long journey for the people concerned and an impossible day for the carers who won't know when the people they care for are being picked up or dropped off.

"My husband uses Tangley three days a week and it makes all the difference to him as they know how to occupy him and it's such an excellent place with very enthusiastic staff.”

Richmond Council announced last month that nearly £9m would be slashed from the budge in the next financial year.

A spending review consultation starts next Friday, and residents can have their say on plans to cut £100,000 from the day centre budget by closing Twickenham day centre and Hampton's Tangley Hall day centre.

Under proposals users of Tangley, a specialist over-60s intensive day centre for people with dementia, would be moved to an alternative council-run centre in Ham.

Councillor Liz Jaeger, opposition spokesman for social care and health, said: "I think it's already hitting a nerve and there will be a lot of carers, sons, daughters, husbands and wives who are very concerned about this.”

Councillor Nicola Urquhart, Richmond's cabinet member for adult services, health and housing, reassured residents they would have a chance to have their say during the six-week consultation period.

She said: "They are just proposals and I can only reassure people that everything they say to us will be taken into account."

*Richmond Volunteer Centre's (RVC) forum for managers, coordinators and people working closely with volunteers will be held on Thursday. It starts with a lunch at 1.30pm followed by a discussion on ways to get young people involved in volunteering. The event will be at RVC, Princes Street. Places can be booked by calling 020 8255 8500.