Carmarthen's Myrddin Centre will open only three days a week

Three lunch clubs are to close and others cut to three days a week.

The council said the services were under-used and promised all the savings would go to providing home care for elderly people who currently miss out.

But some pensioners who use the day clubs are angry at the changes and say they are the one of the few places where they can meet friends.

Carmarthenshire Council said despite a five per cent rise in council tax this year its social services budget was under major pressure.

Changes to day care St Paul's in Llanelli to close with 24 users going to Caemaen Teifi Valley in Newcastle Emlyn and Llanybydder to close with combined 24 users offered places elsewhere Cross Hands, Gwendraeth, Llys y Bryn and Myrddin cut to three days a week from five

Executive board member Kevin Madge said some people were not receiving the home care they need, while others were staying in hospital longer than they should because home care was not available.

He said at the same time day centres and lunch clubs in the county were underused and running below capacity - some as low at 35%.

Limited resources

Everyone who currently attends a day centre will be offered the same service in an alternative location, added Mr Madge.

"We have to use the limited resources we have where they are needed the most," he said.

"At the moment, we are letting people down by not being able to provide the home care they need, while some of our day centres and luncheon clubs are underused.

Pensioners come here and have a chat with people instead of being home alone Howie Jones

"What we aim to do is modernise our services to enable the available resources to be focused on those who most need support, while continuing to provide the services we currently offer."

But some pensioners attending the Myrddin Centre - one of those cutting back from five days a week to three - were upset at the plans.

Grace Williams of Capel Dewi said: "I depend on this place to come for a meal, a sit down and company."

Former councillor John James added: "I hope that they reconsider and don't close it on any day because I don't know where people would go if it was closed.

"It would be very inconvenient."

Howie Jones added: "Pensioners come here and have a chat with people instead of being home alone.