UNION leaders pledged to fight 'tooth and nail' to save a closure-threatened Wirral respite care home during a public meeting tonight.

Girtrell Court in Saughall Massie faces the axe under cost-cutting measures revealed last month as part of the Labour administration's budget proposal package for 2016.

More than 100 people attended tonight's meeting, organised by trade unions Unite and Unison, at St Mary's Church Centre in Upton, to air their views on the planned closure.

They also signed a petition urging the council to reject the plan.

Unison Wirral branch secretary Paddy Cleary told the meeting: "This goes beyond party politics; it is about the most vulnerable people in society.

"We need to fight tooth and nail to protect this facility.

"We've got upwards of 40 people who will be unemployed if the closure goes ahead.

"Thank you for your support tonight and keep up the fight.

"We're talking about a saving of £155,000.

"We've got to make the council embarrassed about this decision."

None of Wirral's Labour or Liberal Democrat councillors attended the meeting.

Moreton West & Saughall Massie Conservative councillor Bruce Berry is fighting the proposal, along with fellow ward councillors Chris Blakeley and Steve Williams.

Cllr Berry said: "The message to the council and director of adult social care is clear ... hands off Girtrell Court!"

The authority believes those using Girtrell Court can be accommodated elsewhere.

But Peter Cowan disagrees.

His 70-year-old sister Barbara sustained severe brain injuries following a car accident in 1963.

She was a resident at Sylvandale Care Home in Bromborough for more than 30 years until its recent closure and has been at Girtrell Court for the last two-and-half years.

Peter believes she would not receive the same standard of care if the centre was to close and residents moved to other care providers.

He told the Globe before tonight's meeting: "The staff at Girtrell Court are so dedicated.

"They have got years and years of experience.

"Residents know the faces of staff and can trust them.

"If the residents are farmed out to other places they will panic.

"Money can't buy experience. If the staff are disbanded, they will never be replaced."

Another member of the audience said: "My son has autistic tendencies and attends Girtrell Court. 

"You would not get the kind of continuity care he gets there if he was to go elsewhere."

Another shouted: "The council has appallingly let down disabled adults in Wirral for years. We can't expect anything different with Girtrell Court."

The centre caters for people with complex mental and physical disabilities.

Its threatened closure would save the authority an estimated £155,000.

The proposals are currently the subject of a public consultation exercise.

The authority says the 120 families who use the facility could be catered for in the private sector.

A large protest was held outside Wallasey Town Hall when the issue came before the council's ruling cabinet in December.

Relatives of Girtrell Court residents are due to meet Graham Hodkinson, Wirral’s director of adult social care, on Friday morning to discuss their concerns on the proposed closure.

Mr Hodkinson said recently: "One of the main drivers behind the proposal to close Girtrell Court is that the care and respite offered there is also independently available in the private sector, where there is more choice rather than having all resources tied up in just one respite facility.

"People who currently use Girtrell will be supported to access those alternative care choices so they will not be left without a service.

"With at least £26m to find for next year, and more in future years, we have to look at how we can meet the growing needs of Wirral residents in a different way."