Users of a day care centre which is facing closure has been thrown a lifeline by its management company.

It was announced in August the Brandon Day Care Centre would be closing in the autumn as it was proving unprofitable.

However, owners of the service Orbit Housing have now said it will stay open until December 31 – giving campaigners more time to try and avert the closure.

Brandon town councillor Christine Mason said: 'Now that we have a little leeway we are all lobbying to see what can be done.'

Suffolk county councillor for Brandon Reg Silvester has appealed to the county council for any funding which may be available to continue running the service, and Mrs Mason has written to West Suffolk MP Matthew Hancock for help.

A petition has also been started by the family of one service user to keep the centre open, which is available to sign at the town council offices.

Mrs Mason said: 'I have had the families of centre users coming in who are really quite distraught. It is not only the residents who are suffering, it is their carers to whom the centre provides respite.'

The day care centre in Warren Close opened 15 years ago to provide care and company for elderly and disabled people in the town.

The situation has provoked a strong reaction from its users and their families and carers, who feel they were not given enough warning of the imminent closure.

In an email to Orbit, resident Andy Erlam labelled the company's plans 'cruel'.

'It very much looks like Orbit is dumping the most vulnerable of our citizens and all for the bottom line,' he said.

A spokeswoman for Orbit said: 'We have signposted customers to other agencies – both statutory and voluntary – and will continue to support customers through this change.

'We encourage anyone who has any queries to contact us directly by sending an email to info@orbit.org.uk.'

Will you be affected by the day care centre's closure? Email bethany.whymark@archant.co.uk.