Anxious parents of children and young people with learning disabilities are demanding showdown talks with Redbridge Council after a valued school holiday break scheme was axed.

The Breaks Project at Wanstead Youth Centre in Elmcroft Avenue has run for the last three years thanks to £30,000 of annual funding from Redbridge Council.

It provides a safe place for children and young adults with a range of learning disabilities during school holidays and is supported by Redbridge Mencap.

But a request to recommission the service in January was turned down, and the centre has only been able to provide care for one day during the Easter break.

Working parents are now wondering where their children will go during the summer holidays.

Ann Thomas, 50, of Trehearn Road in Hainault, says the impact of any closure of the service on her 17-year-old son Glenn would be devastating.

The nursery worker said: “I have never looked on the project as a place to give me a break, it’s all about what it does for Glenn.

“This is a place where he has an opportunity to do the same sort of things as normal teenagers.”

Jacqui Etienne’s 16-year-old son Amal also has learning disabilities.

Mrs Etienne, 50, of Penhurst Road, Hainault, works part-time for a carers association while her husband Emmanuel, also 50, works full-time for British Telecom.

She said: “Amal’s social skills and sense of independence have improved immeasurably because of the Breaks Project.

“As parents it gives you real peace of mind to know that when you go to work you are dropping him off in an environment where he will be happy and among his peers.

“He can’t go out on his own, but he is at an age where he doesn’t want to go everywhere with his parents.

“Over Easter he has been stuck at home on his Playstation. It’s not what I want and I fear he will really regress if there is no summer scheme either.”

At a meeting with parents last night Mark Grainger, Regional Campaigns Officer, for Mencap said he would attempt to organise a meeting with Paul McCarthy head of Special Educational Needs for Redbridge Council.

He told parents that Mr McCarthy had told him there was money available for an alternative scheme.

But he echoed parents’ fears that no firm announcement had been made.

Breaks Project organisers say they need to know if alternative funding can be found by the end of this month or they will not be able to organise a summer scheme.

Mr Grainger said: “Many local Redbridge carers depend on the Breaks Project and have been able trust their children will be safe.

“New research shows 8 out of 10 family carers have reached, or are close to reaching breaking point due to a lack of short breaks.

“Mencap has asked Redbridge  for a quick resolution as we must ensure carers receive the support they deserve or are entitled to.”

Redbridge Council has been asked to comment.