THE LADYHILL Centre should be stay, according to its users as fears continue over the future of the facility.

Newport City Council has said it is reviewing services provided at the Ladyhill Centre, as part of a search for savings at the council.

Sylvia Jones, 74, of Stow Hill, who visits the Ladyhill Centre’s day services in Ringland twice a week fears the services would be moved to a community centre.

Mrs Jones, who uses a wheelchair, said such a location may not be adequately equipped for the needs of current Ladyhill users.

“For some people the pure joy of being able to have a bath, which they can do at Ladyhill, means a lot to them,” she said.

“People also meeting others from different parts of Newport at Ladyhill. If you are sending people to their local community centres you are ghettoising them.”

She also said losing the centre would also break up a team of staff which users of the service were familiar with.

“There’s real camaraderie between the staff. They all muck in together.”

Ladyhill, which provides services for elderly, is one of several council-run services that are being reviewed.

Others include swimming pools and the central market.

A council spokesperson said: “Although there are no immediate plans to close Ladyhill, our long-term aim is to provide our residents with a facility that is modern, up-to-date and fit for the future.

"Work to identify all possible options will be carried out and we would like to assure all attendees and employees that they will be fully consulted and will have the opportunity to put forward their views on future plans."