PARENTS of autistic children are furious that Torfaen council has cancelled babysitting care for their youngsters without warning them.

The cuts follow the news that Torfaen council's social services department faces a projected £2.2 million overspend for the current year. Children suffering from aut-ism or Asperger's Syndrome, can have great difficulty with social interaction and communication, and must be looked after by trained carers.

Tim Davies, chairman of Gwent Autistic Society, said: "The first we knew about it was just over a week ago. Some people have been told they've withdrawn the service, some people haven't - it seems to be very ad hoc. They've put nothing in writing.

"They've taken away the only service they provide for autism. I've got an autistic eight-year-old son, Lewis, who goes to the special unit at Pontymoel.

"His autism is quite severe because he has no language or anything and they used to give us two hours of care a week in the evening.

"Now that's gone. My wife and I have been assessed and told that we need respite care. These are not the sort of children you can just leave with a relative.

"There are probably 25 to 30 autistic children and their families in the area who have been left without care in Torfaen.

"Parents are phoning me in great distress. They have relied on these services to cope with the difficulties of caring for their children."

A spokeswoman for Torfaen council said: "We are disappointed at having to discontinue the small but valuable sitting service.

"The service was subject to review, as we were concerned it would not meet new care standards.

"Social workers are currently working with parents to assess risk and need and identify alternatives where possible."

Torfaen council's education department is on course for a projected overspend of almost £50,000 before the end of the financial year.

Figures in the department's financial monitoring report suggest that, based on current spending, the department will exceed its budget for the year.

The report, by assistant director of education David Powell, advises that, while the projection should be treated with caution, it nevertheless is an early warning of potential areas of concern.

Extra transport costs of £66,010, largely caused by increased demand for transport for children with special educational needs, are also projected.