Families of children with Down’s Syndrome said their children had missed out on speech therapy because of a lack of therapists.

Kevin Burchell, 49, said his son Carlos had not been able to receive vital help at Moor Lane Children’s Centre in Chessington since he was born.

The Kingston University senior researcher, who lives in New Malden, said: “We feel very disappointed and this seriously affects Carlos’s prospects. You end up with citizens who are very reliant on public services in the future.

“Not only is it sensible for people themselves but it is a really good investment in the country.

“They are being held back from communicating.

“There must be lots of other kids we don’t know who are not getting the services they need.

“It is just absurd to ask people to believe a vacancy can’t be filled.”

Claire Griffiths, 37, mother of James, 3, who also has Down's Syndrome, said: "His speech is delayed and his pronunciation not great.

"He only says the end of words. He needs speech therapy to communicate.

"He has been 16 months without speech and language therapy from the borough.I think it's appalling."

Mrs Griffiths, who lives in Surbiton said Kingston Council was relying on charities like 21andCo of which she has become a trustee, to pick up the slack.

She said her son received therapy from a therapist employed by Tolworth Infants School.

He has recently been given a referral at Hawks Road children's centre for April.

Xanthe Breen, of the Down’s Syndrome Association, based in Teddington, said: “Speech and language therapy up and down the country is underfunded and under-staffed.

“It depends on the local authority and how it is set up. It is complicated but we advocate speech and language therapy as it is really important because communication is a first port of call.”

According to Kingston Council’s website, the service provides assessments, staff training for mainstream schools, training for parents and carers and provides a “seamless pathway” from early support into school.

A Kingston Council spokesman said limited funding meant that resources for the service, commissioned from Your Healthcare, meant that young people with life-threatening swallowing and choking difficulties had been prioritised.

The council and the NHS plan a substantial increase in investment from April.

A spokesman said: "We understand that some families affected by these changes will be unsatisfied by the level of interim service and we apologise for this.

"However we do listen and respond to the views and comments of all our service users and we are happy to meet with individual families to discuss their situation and work together towards a satisfactory resolution."

Have you been affected? Call David Lindsell on 0208 744 4244.