AN OKEHAMPTON man says a change in charges at a day centre for the elderly and disabled in the town may leave some people unable to attend at all.

The Poppy Centre at Wardhayes, Okehampton, is run for elderly and disabled people who need day care and offers respite for their carers at home.

Second World War veteran Jack Pavely from Okehampton was assessed before being given a place at the centre a few years ago when it was based at the Castle Hospital.

At this time, there was a small charge towards the lunch provided and individuals were picked up and taken to the centre by minibus and returned home the same way.

Mr Pavely said Devon County Council has since advised those attending the centre that the charge had to be increased to cover transport and other incidentals.

Mr Pavely said this charge of £5 per session is likely to be doubled in the New Year when a means-tested assessment initiative will be introduced.

For those clients who attend the centre twice a week this could mean an outlay of £20.

?For all of us it will mean tightening our belts one more notch, or in some cases not attending the centre,? said Mr Pavely.

?Either way it will be very hard indeed for people in their twilight years who get a great deal of pleasure and are looked after so well,? he added.

?I wonder if the powers that be would think again if either they, or one of theirs were a client,? he said.

However, a Devon Social Services spokesman said the new rules on day centre charging were intended to create a fairer system where services were accessible to everyone.

The Government?s ?Fairer Charging? initiative will come into force across the country from February 2 next year.

Under the new arrangements, those assessed as having sufficient capital or property will be required to pay £5 for each day or part day at a council-run day centre.

In addition to this assessed charge, the client will be required to pay the following standard daily charges:

Transport at £1 per single trip and £3 per meal.

A Devon Social Services spokesmen said the new charges would mean people would pay according to a financial assessment of their needs and would help the poorest get the services they needed.