A MENTAL health day centre threatened with closure will remain open until at least next year – but its long-term future is not yet secure.

Warrington Borough Council has extended its contract with charity Together for Wellbeing to run its Your Way service from the Warrington Day Centre on Allen Street in Bewsey until March 2018.

The move has been made to allow for further consultation on the future of the services delivered from the base, with a review including a three-month consultation beginning imminently.

Options considered for the Warrington Day Centre include continuing the service with the same provider, finding an alternative provider or closing the mental health hub.

Cllr Pat Wright, Warrington Borough Council’s executive board member for statutory health and social care, said: “Our priority is to support people with mental health problems towards recovery and independent living.

“Although no funding is being withdrawn in this case, the effectiveness and value for money of all services is under review and we do need to be sure that whoever we commission to provide services delivers the right services to the right people.”

A service user will join an independent review board, which will be led by Healthwatch Warrington chairman Helen Speed.

The board will also include commissioners and an advocacy service representative who will gain feedback from service users.

Service user Anthony Lloyd from Birchwood had set up a petition in order to stop the closure of a service that has served the town for more than 30 years.

The 26-year-old said: "I can't put into words how much the service has helped me.

"In a lot of the other services in Warrington you're made to feel like you're on a conveyor belt and being pushed through the system, which can sometimes make things worse.

“With Your Way, it’s very obvious that they really care about you.”

To sign the petition click here.