Hundreds of mental health patients will lose vital support after a charity was forced to reduce its day-centre schemes because of drastic cash cuts.

Oxfordshire Mind halved services at two of its centres when the county's social services reduced its funding by more than five per cent.

Up to 750 patients suffering from a range of illnesses and problems - including serious psychiatric problems like schizophrenia - will be left with little support as a result. The Mill, Mind's flagship centre in Oxford, has been cut from five opening days to four a week.

Focus Day Centre, Kidlington, and Chrysalis day centre, in Henley, now only open one day a week.

All 14 of the charity's centres in the county will have to shut completely for two weeks of the year.

Oxfordshire Mind director Hilary Caldicott said: "Some of our users have absolutely nowhere else to go and the centres are invaluable."

Social services assistant director Lorna Brown blamed a reduction in funding from central government, which was being cut by £10m over three years.

Story date: Wednesday 24 November

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