Almost 1,000 people have signed a petition to save a lifeline for special needs children and their families.

Morley House in King's provides breaks and boarding for 25 children and young people with special needs.

But Norfolk County Council, which funds the children's stays, has told devastated parents it will not renew its contract with Break, which runs the centre, when it ends in August.

Now mum Jessica Kibble has launched an online petition against the move.

She said: 'For my family and many others Morley House is a lifeline.

'The only place we know our child is safe and well looked after which enables us to relax and meet the needs of our younger child and give her the every day experiences we cannot safely provide while caring for our older daughter, day trips to the beach or even visits to the homes of family and friends are impossible apart from the times our older daughter is in respite.

'We need your support to reverse this decision and ensure our children and the many children who will come after ours still have access to this essential service.'

The petition, which has collected 969 signatures in three days, calls for Morley House to remain open.

MORE - click here to go to the petition

It adds: 'Residential respite such as Morley House is essential to the well-being of these disabled children - who have already been assessed as needing the highest level of support - and their families who depend on the time to give other siblings or family members support, and access parts of every day life.

'They allow children to make friends and try activities and days out which other children take for granted.'

Norfolk County Council said that it had to use its resources in the most efficient way to ensure it supported as many children as possible.

Norfolk-based charity Break, which runs Morley House, said: 'We are very sad about this and will do all we can to support families affected through the transition phase.

'We hope that we can continue to support children and families through the provision of a new residential children's home for children with complex needs.'