STRATFIELD House, by Wellington Cottage Hospital, is to close at the end of January.

Four permanent and two part-time staff are affected along with 20 clients, some of whom visit the centre five days a week.

The centre provides specialist day care for the elderly with mental health problems and is a secure unit.

It is run by the NHS, which pays the staff’s wages, and Adult Social Care.

A ‘drop off information’ meeting was held at Wellington Library on Monday where clients were told their needs would be assessed.

One person who attended the meeting said: “We were not told anything, really. Staff were told they would be offered other jobs but this could be anything – cleaning, cooking etc.

“People depend on the centre – and it gives carers a break and some freedom, which is very much valued."

Two similar units in Taunton are also set to close.