THE parents of a man with Down's syndrome are fearful for their son's future after plans were announced to close a popular day centre.

Millfields, a centre for people with learning and physical disabilities in Enfield, is set to be sold off for housing and its 70 students are to be split up into five different groups.

Student Martin Gall, 43, has attended Millfields, which has been open for 40 years, for 27 years. He currently goes five days a week and as yet, his parents have no idea where he will go when it closes.

His dad, Frederick, of Abbeydale, said: "We've been told some students will be going to the Halcyon Centre and others to the YMCA but we don't know where the rest are going, including my son."

Mr Gall, 69, added: "We're worried about where our son will go for his five days' care but also the long term regarding ourselves as carers.

"I will be 70 in January and my wife is 65. Should we become incapable of looking after our son or should we die, what will happen to him?"

A Worcestershire County Council spokesman said: "We're in the very early stages of putting together our proposals and are still very much in the consulting process with parents and carers.

"Whatever happens to Millfields centre isn't important, what's important is the quality of service.

"And parents and carers can be assured this will not drop below the standard they are used to. If anything, it will improve by enhancing the quality of life for the people who use the service."

The spokesman added: "Social Services is changing the way it delivers services, from institutionalised day centres to more community-based services, to encourage service users to experience life more independently.

"At Millfields, we have been in consultation since September with parents and carers about the changes to day services in Redditch and how we propose to become more community-based."