Pressure is building on health bosses to keep a care centre open which is described as a lifeline for the families of people with disabilities.

Protesters were taking to the streets this weekend calling for Hargreaves House to be made exempt from county council cuts after collecting a petition of 250 signatures.

The leader of Hyndburn council Peter Britcliffe was also due to hold a vigil outside the Thwaites Road respite care centre in Oswaldtwistle yesterday to show his support. And this week the Accrington Observer launches its own campaign to keep the centre open.

Observer editor Gareth Tidman said: "Hargreaves House is a important local care centre that provides much-needed support for families with disabled relatives.

"People who care for disabled relatives rely on places like Hargreaves House to give them much needed support.

"To close it would target the some of the most vulnerable people in Hyndburn as well as some the most deserving of help."

Hargreaves House is one of eight homes for disabled people across the county threatened with closure as Lancashire county council looks to make cuts of £179million.

It provides respite care to up to 40 families of people with disabilities.

Coun Britcliffe said: "We welcome the Observer’s campaign and I think it is important that the council is able to throw its weight behind it, and county councillors too.

"I welcome the backing to keep Hargreaves House open and I am confident that if we all pull together, Hargreaves House will remain."

A special vigil was due to be held outside Hargreaves House on Thursday, March 24 which saw councillors and residents join together to show their support for keeping it open.

In addition, a demonstration organised by a group called Save Our Respite Establishment (SORE) has been planned outside Accrington Town Hall on Saturday, March 26 starting at 12.30pm.

Pamela McCullough, of Burnley Road, Accrington whose disabled son Matthew, 16, uses the service, also welcomed our campaign.

Matthew, who has used the service for the past 10 years, suffers from Angelman Syndrome – a genetic disorder which means he can never live independently.

Pamela McCullough, of SORE said: "It’s fantastic that our local paper is supporting a local cause and helping to protect vulnerable members of society.

"We really do need to protect our frontline services like Hargreaves House."

She added: "To us, it’s a much needed break as Matthew needs to have 24-hour care.

"This service really is a lifeline as it gives you a break, so you don’t have to do everything all day, every day.

"We have got a petition together and we have already got 250 signatures on it – we only need 500 for the county council to be forced to address the issue."

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said: "If the Observer is running a campaign to save Hargreaves House, then that is fantastic.

"We have to make the county council listen as Hargreaves House provides respite care for some of the most vulnerable children and families. So, congratulations to the Observer for putting its weight behind this campaign."

County Councillor Susie Charles, cabinet member for Children and Schools, said: "I understand how important our respite care services are to those who use them, and because of this we are involving parents and carers well before we reach the stage of formal consultation on any proposals.

"Both the director and senior manager responsible for this area of work have been holding informal meetings around the county at the beginning of February to meet with parents, keep them informed, and hear their views, all of which will be considered.

"The county council must make savings of £179m over the next three years and, because of the scale of the budgetary pressures, all service areas are coming under scrutiny."

The petition is available to view at www.council.lancashire.gov.uk/mgEPetition