A CHARITY supporting a children's respite centre in Hereford which is earmarked for closure hope to draw up a plan to take it over.

No 1 Ledbury Road is expected to close next year in favour of a community foster care plan which has been met with strong objection from a number of parents and the wider community.

The centre provides respite care for children and young people with complex health and social needs.

But the committee of the Children at No 1 charity says it hopes people will come forward to help secure its future with a meeting for interested parties set to be held in Hereford next month.

"We are looking for people who are keen to support a Herefordshire model of respite care for the future," said committee member, Kevin Basden.

"It will discuss the need for us to put together a business plan with the aim of taking No 1 over.

"There seems to be a lot of people who have mooted that they would like to be involved.

"It will be a substantial amount needed to run it but the intention is to keep it where it is. It would be ridiculously expensive to move it elsewhere.

"We believe there is a business model to be found that comes up not losing money."

He said funding opportunities that could be explored include Children in Need and the National Lottery.

In last week's Hereford Times we reported that half-term respite cover at No 1 had been cut with one parent, Jaime Miles, seeing cover for her 13-year-old son, Corey, down from 18 hours to just four.

Mr Basden said anyone, particularly recently retired people with expertise in the field of management and the care industry, is invited to attend the meeting which will be held on December 3 at the Green Dragon Hotel on Broad Street, Hereford from 7.30pm.

Anyone interested in attending should call Mr Basden on 01544 340246.