Merlyn Morris gave up his job to look after his invalid mum full-time. Now he is being asked to stump up £9 an hour - to take a break.

Merlyn, 60, quit work to care for his 87-year-old mum Amy, who has Parkinson's Disease. He gets a break for three hours a fortnight when a qualified carer employed by the county council comes in to take over.

But now he has been told Amy will be charged £27 for the service because the council needs to make savings in its social services budget.

Merlyn, of Shakespeare Road, Eynsham, told the Oxford Mail: "She can't afford it and neither can I.

"I have a few thousand pound savings, but if I start going into that, it's less money for my old age. I think it's dreadful. I have to get my mother up, wash her and dress her and everything else. Those three hours are precious to me. They are my relaxation when I can get out of the home." Merlyn is one of a growing number of people looking after elderly and disabled people at home. The Oxfordshire Carers' Forum, which represents their interests, says they know of at least 500 in the county.

About 300 of these are facing the new charge, according to administrator Larry Sanders. He added: "We have said it is dreadful because there are some who will not pay and will lose those important few hours.

"It is an attack on two fronts for elderly people. Community hospital beds, which cater for respite care, are being cut and now there are these charges."

The county expects to make £206,000 this year from charging for home respite care. Ted Cooper, Labour social services spokesman, said: "It is against a background of tightening budgets and a growing need for services.

"Up until now it has been the only service not charged for. Other services - such as transport to day centres, home care and disability aids - all have them."

The county originally wanted to charge carers directly but was told that would be illegal. It now plans to impose the levy on the cared-for person, such as Amy.

Mr Cooper said the charges could be in force by autumn, following a period of consultation. People on income support would not be expected to pay the full amount, he added.

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