Students and opposition councillors have spoken out in support of adult education after the council announced a review of the service as it battles to find £32m in savings.

Merton Adult Education, which has more than 5,000 students on its books, is the first to be ‘under review’ after Merton Council announced no service would be safe in its bid to save money.

A Twitter campaign has been launched to save Merton Adult Education, based in Whatley Avenue, Raynes Park, as the council kicks off budget discussions ahead of next year.

Funding cuts by central government means the council needs to identify savings of £32m over the next four years.

The Save MAE account said it is a student-led campaign objecting to the threatened closure of Merton Adult Education.

Gay Bennett-Powell has been taking pottery classes there for three years. Ms Bennett-Powell said: "There is a lack of information from the council.

"Our main concern is the possible impact on Merton Adult Education - we feel the value of it can’t be quantified in pounds or pence."

She said a free festival being held until Friday, October 30 has proven popular since it began earlier this month.

Students attend courses for a number of reasons, whether it is to gain qualifications or to socialise with like-minded people.

Sarah Collins, a mum-of-two children, one of which has special needs, describes the yoga classes as ‘wonderful.’ She said: "I started in September because it was over-subscribed last term.

"It was in high demand."

Mrs Collins is involved in the Save Mae which is gathering momentum.

The priority for the council is to protect services for vulnerable people and to freeze council tax for the fifth year in a row, it confirmed at a Cabinet meeting last night.

Children’s services and social care for older people will have a lower level of cuts, compared to other services, the council said.

It said the huge savings have to be made because of budget cuts to regional councils by the national Government.

It said the council spends £2.7m per year on adult education, and in the last academic year, attracted 5,054 students.

Speaking at the meeting at the Civic Offices in Morden, Councillor Mark Allison, who is the deputy leader and finance portfolio holder, said: "We were criticised by others for having money for a rainy day - now we have come to a rainy day we might have to use that money.

"For the next four years the budget gap is £32m."

Coun Allison explained the decision on where to make savings would not be an easy one. He added: "We should look at services like adult education - is there a better way of still providing a good service at less cost?"

The council said in a statement that while it is fully committed to adult education and a continued service in the borough, reductions in government funding means the council will now need to look at alternative options to deliver the service.

The council statement said: "All council services will be affected to some degree, driven by the overall need to find savings."

The opposition has hit out at the proposals to 'review' adult education.

Councillor James Holmes, Conservative education spokesman said: "Labour are threatening the future of Merton Adult Education and considering selling off the land rather than working on a solution which will protect this service, bring down costs and benefit the local economy.

"Labour have not shared their proposals with opposition parties nor engaged in any cross party discussion or scrutiny. Instead they are cutting front line services, while sitting on millions in reserves.

"The future of Merton Adult Education should be innovative and exciting with community courses at its centre; creating life opportunities for residents at affordable rates.

"In order to subsidise courses for local residents MAE could provide professional training courses to local businesses, charged at commercial rates.

"A link with a local university would also enable residents to study for degrees through evening classes at Whatley Avenue."

The final budget needs to be agreed by all councillors at the annual budget meeting in March 2015.

Do you use Merton Adult Education’s services? Will you be affected by the council cuts? Get in touch with Becky now on Becky.middleton@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 020 8722 6336.