Vulnerable users of a much loved day centre have launched an impassioned appeal to the Wimbledon Guild to rethink major changes to the service.

The Wimbledon Guild, Worple Road, provides a day centre service including pick up a hot lunch and activities between 11am to 3pm on selected days.

The service is set to be replaced as part of the ageing well plan, created in partnership with Merton Council, which has the wider aim of keeping the elderly living independently in their homes for longer.

Automatic pick up and drop off will be replaced by a transport service available on request, the canteen replaced with a self service cafe, and the main hall partitioned into smaller rooms.

The announcement has shocked users who fear a loss of the pick-up service will see them confined to their homes.

Maureen Quinn, 73, from Morden has been using the day centre since August last year after being diagnosed with depression.

She said: "I wasn’t going out, and my doctor suggested I try out the day centre.

"At first I didn’t like it but I kept going and now it is the main thing I look forward to every week.

"I am really terrified now as I think I will just end up at home alone again."

Users have said they were not adequately consulted on the changes, despite the Guild claiming a thorough consultation took place.

Bridget Hewitt, a volunteer at the centre for six years, said: "They have just been given a minibus by the mayor and they have already got two - what are they using them for?

"Since they made the decision there has been no discussion.

"Anyone who disagrees is being pushed out - the atmosphere is poison."

In February we revealed the Guild has been awarded £289,650 from Merton Council to run servies in the borough, more than double its previous grant.

A spokesperson for the Guild said: "The number of people attending Day Centre activities was falling and the activities clearly needed to be refocused and reenergised.

"The Ageing Well programme will reach out to far more people who are potentially experiencing isolation and may not have the confidence to get out and about on their own.

"Merton Council has awarded the increase in funds, all of which The Wimbledon Guild will be matching pound for pound, because they understand the benefits that the new Ageing Well programme will bring to older people throughout the borough.

"Our current customers are our priority and most of them have already met with our Outreach team to discuss their needs and individual aspirations and we have received great feedback from them."

Current transport arrangements are expected to continue until August 1, with the new cafe and schedule of services to start from August 5.