Day centre users with mental health problems have had their 80p daily "wages" axed by social services.

More than 40 people attending the Avis Way adult training centre in Newhaven were being paid between 70p and 80p a day for carrying out basic factory-type work.

The decision will save East Sussex social services about £60,000. Social services said other centres in the county did not pay and the decision would ensure fairness among all day centres users.

Work carried out at the centre included practical tasks such as fitting together joint sockets and plugs.

Friends and relatives of centre users are fighting the decision and say for many of the people taking part it felt like they were going to a proper job.

Elaine Carter's brother and sister, Gareth and Lorraine Walsh, who are 38 and 43, have Downs Syndrome and have been going to Avis Way for more than 15 years.

Mrs Carter said: "It is seen as pocket money for them. It is obviously not a lot of money and I can't believe it has been taken away from them.

"Everyone at the centre looks forward to getting their pay packet at the end of the week with their name on it. It adds to their sense of worth and importance and is vital in boosting confidence.

"They don't spend it on much as it is only a small amount of money, but it usually goes on drinks and snacks and small things like that."

Mrs Carter, who cares for her brother and sister at her home in Roderick Avenue, Peacehaven, said she planned to fight the decision.

She said: "A lot of people are really angry about this. The amount is not major but makes a real difference to the quality of people's lives.

"They have been getting the money for years and it is an important ritual for them and they are going to get very upset about it."

Mrs Carter now plans to write to her local MP and lobby support to get the decision reversed.

She said: "There was an attempt to do the same thing two years ago by social services but we fought against it and got a lot of support so in the end they agreed to withdraw the plans."

Fellow campaigner Joanne Forest, of Newhaven, who has a cousin who regularly goes to the centre, said she was appalled at the decision.

She said: "Social services may be saying it is being done to make things fairer but that doesn't make things easier for the people affected and we are the ones who are going to have to try and explain things to them."

Social services said it carried out the move "in the interests of fairness and equality for all people with a learning disability who attend day care".

The department scrapped its county-wide monetary award scheme in 1987 but has continued to pay those who joined the scheme before then.

Avis Way was one of the only centres in the county to still run the payment scheme for its long-serving regulars.

A spokesman said: "No new people since 1987 who attend day care have received the £4 a week.

"The amount saved from ending these awards is £60,000, which is being used to help deliver services.

"It was not thought to be fair that a minority of people were being paid."