Joined by my wife, I presented stage three of our complaints to the ombudsman for consideration by two senior borough councillors (September 7). The day centres are vital.

Firstly, we wish to record our appreciation of their courtesy and thoroughness, indeed their friendliness, in a two and a half hour meeting. It concerned the crucial voting meeting.

Secondly, that they have taken away our evidence that at the time of voting the figures of running costs were not to be relied on; that councillors did not publish the trivial (£1) reduction in council tax by closure; that they refused to estimate the horrendous social costs and consequences of closure; that they refused to accept the no' answer to consultation and finally that they would not agree to a referendum to end the doubt, yes or no closures.

All we ask is officers inform the Tory councillors there is sufficient substance and merit in our complaint for the councillors to reconsider their decision to close the centres.

If they are willing to do so, the ombudsman's intervention may be avoided. For I think at a second meeting the Tory councillors would reprieve the centres.

My wife brought to the meeting her experiences as chair, Community Health Council, Spelthorne Mental Health Association, Stanwell County councillor and Ashford North borough councillor.

She is, by profession, a lawyer.

There is, as she well knows, no doubt as to what physical and mental deterioration is the consequence of enforced isolation.

The killers - heart, cancer, stroke - are in full retreat thanks to our marvellous local NHS and no smoking laws will improve public health.

Sadly, mental health treatment fails to keep pace with an ageing population.

Our actions have only one objective - to keep open the centres.

If the councillors will reconsider, I shall at once withdraw my maladministration complaint if a wrong is put right, a charge will not be upheld. A maladministration tag is shameful, but avoidable.

A plea for second thoughts is surely reasonable. We await the officers' decision following our meeting.

HAROLD TRACE Ashford